In Nigeria, the mass media are used independently or complementarily in health promotion activities to achieve positive lifestyle changes. The mass media can play a positive role in combating the Lassa fever epidemic and its attendant fatality in Nigeria. The present review is necessitated by the widespread reportage and persistence of Lassa fever infection and fatality in Nigeria. From June to October 2018, the authors searched for relevant information in the grey literature, Scopus database, PubMed, Cochrane database, Google, and Nigerian newspapers and magazines, among other sources. Based on the reviewed literature, the authors argue that the mass media reportage of Lassa fever is limited in its content and undermined by poor network connection, the time of the day the broadcasts are made, and people's indifference. These factors have posed a hindrance to health and environmental behaviours that would help to prevent Lassa fever and have resulted in cases of Lassa fever. It is recommended that media reporters intensify efforts at understanding the best time of the day to broadcast Lassa fever prevention information. The mass media should also make efforts toward providing accurate information regarding disease outbreak because this might help reduce panic and resistance to control and prevention measures.

This paper investigates the impact of media campaign on the prevention and spread of Lassa fever in Ebonyi state. 354 respondents were randomly selected from six rural communities in the state as study sample, while structured questionnaires were used for collecting data. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data. Results of analysis reveal that the media campaign has rural reach but has little or no impact. The results also reveal that the campaign failed to create appropriate awareness of the disease, its preventive/curative health behaviors. It further reveals that there are no health behavior modifications among the people because of the campaign. Therefore, this paper recommends the modification of media contents to incorporate the required preventive/curative health behaviors. Secondly, mandatory mass media awareness campaign and jingles in every news hour is recommended.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease. Media campaigns are planned to create awareness about the disease. This is because mass media is often the leading source of information and mobilization during important health issues or crisis. The main objective of this study was to assess the media coverage of monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey of residents in Southern Nigeria. A total of 600 respondents were sampled for this study through a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. Research assistants helped in collecting data from respondents through structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using percentages, mean score, and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). Respondents had little or no knowledge of monkeypox virus, its nature, mode of transmission, and prevention mechanism (2.30 ± .918, P  = .000). Respondents stated that they learnt about the virus through friends and social institutions instead of media (4.44 ± .945, P  = .006). Media failed to create effective and comprehensive awareness campaigns to mobilize the public (1.86 ± 1.196, P  = .001), while inappropriate and insufficient media programs and lack of funds were blamed for media ineffectiveness (4.18 ± 1.352, P  = .004). The outbreak of monkeypox virus is a public health concern in Nigeria. Media campaigns are planned to raise awareness about the disease; however, these campaigns have not demonstrated effectiveness in changing people's health behavior toward monkeypox. Media, health professionals, and government should synergize to promote a consistent health policy for the control and prevention of monkeypox virus.

Nigeria has high numbers of meningitis cases and related fatalities almost every year. This study explored the role of the media in meningitis campaigns using a documentary method of data gathering and analysis. The research objectives were to determine if the media played a positive role in campaigns against meningitis outbreaks in Nigeria and to determine the major obstacles to media coverage of meningitis outbreaks in Nigeria. The results revealed that the role of the media in Nigeria during meningitis outbreaks is positive and supportive. However, paid advertisements and announcements that support the media in health promotion campaigns were undermined by limited understanding of infectious diseases by politicians and some media sponsors. Therefore, the authors recommend the establishment of a permanent funded media structure charged with the responsibility of grassroots campaigns against meningitis, and the integration of the media into committees formed to combat the disease.

Objective: This paper investigates the influence of Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) in eliminating the consumption of fake/counterfeit drugs in South-east Nigeria.Methods: 1000 respondents were randomly selected in the five states of the South-east as study sample, while a structured questionnaire was used for collecting data. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyse the data.Results: Analysis results reveal that there is a low level of MAS scheme awareness while few persons operate the MAS scheme. It further reveals that MAS scheme made no impact on the distribution and consumption of fake/counterfeit drugs. It also reveals people's inability to procure appropriate phone technology, poor network services, and low level of MAS scheme media awareness campaign was responsible for MAS scheme ineffectiveness.Conclusion: NAFDAC MAS scheme has not reduced or eliminated the production, distribution and consumption of fake/counterfeit drugs in the South-east Nigeria. This is because of inappropriate media awareness campaign, people's inability to procure the appropriate phone technology and access good network services required to operate the MAS scheme. This paper recommends appropriate massive media awareness campaign on the MAS Scheme, modernisation of MAS scheme software to accommodate lower level of phone technology, and improved network access as panacea for MAS scheme effectiveness.