BackgroundNigeria has the highest population in sub-Saharan Africa with high birth and growth rates. There is therefore need for family planning to regulate and stabilize this population. This study examined the relationship between access to mass media messages on family planning and use of family planning in Nigeria. It also investigated the impacts of spatio-demographic variables on the relationship between access to mass media messages and use of family planning.MethodsData from the 2013 demographic and health survey of Nigeria which was conducted in all the 36 states of Nigeria, and Abuja were used for the study. The sample was weighted to ensure representativeness. Univariate, bivariate and binary logistic regressions were conducted. The relationship between each of the access to mass media messages, and the family planning variables were determined with Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsThe correlation results showed significant but weak direct relationships between the access to mass media messages and use of family planning at p < 0.0001 with access to television messages (r = 0.239) being associated with highest use of family planning. Some of the results of the adjusted regression analysis showed that access to television messages (OR = 1.2.225; p < 0.0001), and radio messages (OR = 1.945; p < 0.0001) increase the likelihood of the use of family planning. The adjusted regression model also indicated increased likelihood in the use of family planning by respondents with secondary education (OR = 2.709; p < 0.0001), the married (OR = 1.274; p < 0.001), and respondents within the highest wealth quintiles (OR = 3.442; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThere exist significant variations within spatio-demographic groups with regards to having access to mass media messages on family planning, and on the use of family planning. The results showed that access to mass media messages increases the likelihood of the use of family planning. Also people with higher socioeconomic status and those from the Southern part of the country make more use of family planning. There is need to improve the socioeconomic status of the populations. Also, the quality and regularity of mass media messages should be improved, while other communication avenues such as traditional institutions, blogs, and seminars for youths should be used to make family planning messages more acceptable.

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Despite reportage of the impending flood by the mass media, the 2012 flood was the most devastating in the history of Nigeria as it adversely affected 33 out of 36 states in the country. Therefore, this study examines people's perception of and attitude toward mass media reportage of the 2012 flood. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 households in rural communities in Delta and Anambra states while data analyses were by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. More than 75% of the respondents received information about the flood from either radio or television, and there were significant spatial variations in perceptions of flood reportage. Furthermore, the regression results showed that generally, mass media reportage of the flood was not too effective in influencing people's attitude. Subsequently, recommendations were made on how to ensure that populations affected by floods have access to comprehensive, easily accessible, and effective information. SAGE Openproactive measures that could combat the effects of the floods and minimize its effects. These mass media messages were seemingly ignored, which led to the devastating effects of the flood as almost all states of the federation reported colossal destruction of properties, farmlands, animals, and even loss of human lives (OCHA, 2012).Evidence from studies in Nigeria indicates that people seem to have a negative perception of media reportage of issues. For instance, Afolabi (2010) noted that the mass media have not been timely in their reportage of conflicts and insurgencies. Other researchers also show that the Nigerian media have not effectively played a surveillance function in the reportage of conflicts and insurgencies, neither have they displayed a high level of objectivity in their reports (Okpara, 2010;Oputa, 2011;Lawrence, 2011;Hamida & Baba, 2014). This can partly be attributed to the fact that most media organizations in the country are owned by state (sub-national) governments and individuals, and as such, they are primarily used to promote the interests of their owners. In addition, it has been revealed that the Nigerian mass media do not give significant coverage and provide effective awareness on climate change issues even as they fail to offer adequate explanations to environmental issues in general (Batta, Ashong, & Bashir, 2013;Moeti, Maraisane, & Marou, 2008;Ukonu, Akpan, & Anorue, 2012). This can be seen in the reports on the 2012 flood as majority of the flood messages were presented in the straight news format, devoid of in-depth reports that could increase the knowledge of the populace on the causes and risks associated with the flood.In the event of disasters such as the 2012 flood, the importance of risk perception in disaster risk reduction and mitigation has been highlighted to include the anticipation and comprehension of people's responses to disasters, effective communication of risks information, and initiation and implementation of disaster prevention and mitiga...

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BACKGROUND፡ As Malaria continues to take a heavy toll on the life and economy of Nigerians, The National Malaria Elimination Programme uses behaviour change communication (BCC) to promote the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN) and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) to combat malaria. This study examined the impact of BCC on the use of LLIN and ACT in Southeast Nigeria.METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 480 respondents in urban and rural communities across five states. Analysis of data was done using percentages, chi-square and logistic regression.RESULTS: Findings showed weak effect of BCC on LLIN and ACT use despite achieving high (93.75%) exposure. Only 45.1% and 45.7% of the respondents used LLIN and ACT respectively. Urban residents were found to sleep under LLINs and use ACTs more than rural dwellers. Regression results showed that newspapers (OR=1.341) and the Internet (OR=3.216) increased the odds of LLIN use in the rural areas and magazines (OR=1.837) in the urban areas. Television (OR=2.375; P=0.002) and the Internet (OR=6.063; P=0.001) increased the odds of ACT use in the urban areas. Education was found to be a positive predictor of LLIN use in the rural (OR=4.645; P=0.011) and urban areas (OR=6.102) as well as ACT use in the rural (OR=7.268; p=0.002) and urban areas (0R=6.145; P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Access to behaviour change communication though very high has not achieved the desired behaviour change. The National Malaria Elimination Programme should produce appropriate messages to address barriers to LLIN and ACT use.