Wogu Joseph Oluchukwu, Chukwu Christiana Ogeri, Nwafor Kenneth Adibe, Anikpe Ekenechukwu Anazor, Ugwuoke Joel Chinedum, Ugwulor-Onyinyechi Chinyere Christiana, Eseadi Chiedu
Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
J Int Med Res. 2020 Jan;48(1):300060518821552. doi: 10.1177/0300060518821552. Epub 2019 Jan 18.
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.
在尼日利亚，大众媒体被单独或作为补充用于健康促进活动，以实现积极的生活方式改变。大众媒体在抗击尼日利亚的拉沙热疫情及其造成的死亡方面可以发挥积极作用。尼日利亚拉沙热感染和死亡事件的广泛报道及持续存在使得本次综述成为必要。2018年6月至10月，作者在灰色文献、Scopus数据库、PubMed、Cochrane数据库、谷歌以及尼日利亚报纸和杂志等来源中搜索相关信息。基于所综述的文献，作者认为大众媒体对拉沙热的报道内容有限，且受到网络连接不佳、广播时间以及人们漠不关心等因素的影响。这些因素对有助于预防拉沙热的健康和环境行为构成了阻碍，并导致了拉沙热病例的出现。建议媒体记者加大力度了解一天中播放拉沙热预防信息的最佳时间。大众媒体还应努力提供有关疾病爆发的准确信息，因为这可能有助于减少恐慌以及对控制和预防措施的抵触情绪。
