AKSU Journal of Communication Research (AJCR)

ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL PROGRAMME ON IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN AND ATTITUDE CHANGE IN UYO LG A OF AKWA IBOM STATE

Author:  BASSEY EFFIONG EYOH, PhD & PHILOMENA UMOREN, PhD

Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of National Programme on Immunization Campaigns and attitude change in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The sample size of 300 respondents, representing 10% of the population of Uyo Local Government Area (397,702), was selected proportionately from the eleven wards that make up the local government. Survey was the research design while questionnaire served as instrument for data collection, with agenda setting and diffusion of innovation as theoretical base. Findings showed that media campaigns on the programme were effective on attitude change, but religious and traditional beliefs such as preference for herbal and traditional medicine, the notion that sicknesses are caused by witches and evil spirits, and so do not require injection for treatment and the refusal of chiefs and community leaders to endorse and support the exercise impeded high coverage for the exercise. And that healthcare providers used “immunization plus” as strategy to draw out children for immunization. It is recommended that campaign messages should be structured in a way that clearly inform and educate mothers and caregivers on the importance of immunization, intensive and aggressive campaigns should be maintained to sustain the awareness and enlightenment on the programme as well as the acceptance and goodwill, all stakeholders should be involved in campaign planning and execution. Also, campaign messages should be designed and channeled to reflect the rural-urban composition of the local government for the benefit of some rural wards in the local government area and health posts should be built in the communities where there are none to bring healthcare services nearer to them.