The Media Role in the Spread of HIV and STDs in Nigeria: Why is New Cases on the Increase in Rural Areas?

Nigeria, with a population of 134,400,000 citizens, still suffers continuous spread of HIV and other STDs especially amongst adolescents numbering 42,604,800, accounting for 31.7% of the nation’s populace. Despite the efforts of the media to (re)enlighten the masses of the existence and irreversible consequences of the diseases, further spread of the diseases still constitutes a menace to the survival of many. Does this mean that the media messages never reached the target audience(s)? Are the recipients of these messages not literate enough to decode the messages? Random sampling method was adopted with well-structured questionnaire administered to determine socioeconomic determinants of the HIV/AIDS and STDs spread. Perception on the level of success public enlightenment has achieved in curbing further spread of the diseases amongst adolescents was also investigated. Results show that education, income, nearness to counseling centre and perception about the diseases are the significant variables. Respondents suggested that public enlightenment on HIV should incorporate Behaviour Change, Advocacy, and participatory systems of communication to enhance media effect. Recommendations are also made to strengthen media impacts in bringing about behavioural change on the subject matter.