CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In the bid to combat the epidemic and its threat to the survival of the human race, researchers and programme/project personnel are intent on developing the most innovative and creative strategies. The search for alternatives has highlighted the crucial role of communication and media in the support of these efforts. The mass media in particular have attracted great interest because of the perception of its role as a powerful and influential tool. Towards this end, several countries have initiated and maintained mass media projects. Since the first case of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was recognized in 1981 in the United States of America, its impact has been felt most severely on the economies of the developing world. Given that AIDS kill mostly people between 15 – 49 years of age group, it is therefore uniquely devastating in terms of increasing poverty and reversing human development achievements (UNDP 2001). Incidence and prevalence rates in Africa and most especially in Nigeria are staggering.

Nigeria is a developing economy and the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on a developing country is monumental. Several studies have suggested that AIDS can impact negatively on the rural household productive capacity through reduced quality and quantity of household’s labor and depletion of household’s financial resources. Health communicators have laid emphasis on the pivotal role of the media in the fast spread of scientific information related to the pandemia and viewed the vehicle of the media, especially the radio as necessary in curtailing the disease (Idu and Obinne 2003). In developing countries, radio and to some extent, televisions are the most effective tools of communication since they cut across literacy boundaries.

According to Kuponiyi (2000), radio is one broadcast medium that almost all experts agree is the most appropriate for rural and urban emancipation programme. Radio beats distance and thus has immediate effect. Radio is also cheap to obtain and widely owned by people due to the advent of the battery – operated transistorized sets (Moemeka 1993). The ultimate goal of this radio campaign is to create awareness and therefore prevent the further spread of the virus. Since the commencement of these programmes on radio, no empirical attempt has been made to examine the contribution of the station towards the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS. The study is therefore an attempt to examine the role of AKBC programme- “Know your status” in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS among listeners. An study of this type is necessary in order to assess the role of the radio station in its campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS with a view to identifying areas where improvement is needed.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Many research work have been conducted on the influence of radio programmes on the subject of AIDS on listeners, also, attention has been paid to organizing mass media programmes that will enlighten listeners on the ways to prevent HIV/AIDS and also, to educate those living with the disease on how they can still live well. Again on  stigmatization, this is also because many people are unaware of the fact that people living with HIV/AIDS are not to be neglected in societal activities so that they may not contract the disease. To ensure more on this, all mass media organizations need to invest more time and resources to ensure that members of the society are properly educated on the subject matter. It is in view of this critical role played by the mass media and also the need to know how programmes on the subject is affecting listeners that necessitated this study to find out the influence of AKBC radio programme “Know your status” on select villages in Ikot Ekpene

1.3 Objectives of The Study

The general objective of this study therefore is to find out the influence of  AKBC radio programme “Know your status” on select villages in Ikot Ekpene. Specific objectives include:

1. To determine if residents of Ikot Ekpene are aware of AKBC radio programme “Know your status”.
2. To find out the relative importance of the AKBC radio programme Know your status in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ikot Ekpene.

• To ascertain if there is any behavioral change among listeners after their exposure to the programme.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions where formulated:

1. Are the residents of Ikot Ekpene aware of the AKBC radio programme “Know your status”?
2. What is the relative importance of the AKBC radio programme “Know your Status” in the campaign against spread of HIV/AIDS in Ikot Ekpene?

• Is there any behavioural change among listeners after their exposure to the programme?

1.5 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is limited to the influence of AKBC radio programme –Know your status on select villages in Ikot Ekpene.

• Limitations of The Study

The major factors that stood as limitations to the research study were;

Respondents: Reluctant to deliver quality information as regards the research while the effort of reaching back to the people was in vein. However, the researcher was able to overcome this problem by making use of available responses.

1.6 Significance of The Study

The following are the significance of the study; it will bring to light the role of the media in campaigning against HIV/AIDS, it will reveal the impact of AKBC radio programme – “know your status” in the  campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ikot Ekpene.

1.8  Definition of Terms

AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, disease of the immune system caused by infection with the retrovirus HIV, which destroys some types of white blood cells and is transmitted through blood or bodily secretions such as semen

Campaign – A planned and organized series of actions intended to achieve a specific goal, especially fighting for or against something or raising people’s awareness of something

HIV – Either of two strains of a retrovirus, HIV-1 or HIV-2, that destroys the immune system’s helper T cells, the loss of which causes AIDS. Full form human immunodeficiency virus

Influence – The power that somebody has to affect other people’s thinking or actions

Know your status: To check ones’ health condition.

Programme: An item broadcast between stated times on radio or television

Select villages: Villages chosen in a particular region to conduct a given research in order to get their opinion.