AKSU Journal of Communication Research (AJCR)

EDO RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS AND RESPONSE TO COVID’19 MEDIA MESSAGES

Author:  Daniel Ofomegbe, Ekhareafo, Ph.D & ISAH ABDULAZEEZ

Abstract
This study was carried out to examine Edo residents’ awareness and response to COVID19 media messages. The objectives of the study include: to examine the awareness level of Edo Residents to COVID’19, to determine through which medium Edo residents were exposed to COVID’19, to determine the extent to which media messages influenced Edo residents’ attitude towards COVID’19 and to examine how Edo residents responded to media campaign on COVID’19. The study was anchored on the Health Believe Model while the Survey methodology was adopted. The population of this study comprises all residents of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, and Esan North East Local Government Area. The projected population for Etsako West Local Government in 2018 is 260,700, Esan North East 159, 800 and Oredo Local Government 490, 600. The Taro Yamani Sample size determining formula was used to determine the Sample Size. Consequently, the purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of four hundred. This means that 400 copies of the questionnaire were administered across the three selected local government areas out of which 300 were returned and found useable. The study found out that Edo residents’ awareness of COVID’19 was high. The study also revealed that Edo residents got exposed to COVID’19 messages via different Channels, further findings revealed that Edo residents responded positively to COVID’19 media messages as they worked with the information supplied by the media on COVID’19. Based on this, the study concluded that if multiple media approach is adopted in sensitizing people, the possibility of them having robust knowledge and awareness of the issue is high. Against this background, the study recommended among others that media should be continuously engaged in the quest to sensitize the people on critical issues like COVID’19.