Traditional Communication and Health Awareness in Abak-Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2017 in the subject Health - Miscellaneous, grade: A, , language: English, abstract: The study examines the uses and impact of traditional communication as effective tool for creating health awareness in Abak rural region. The study is predicated on the research problem that the Western modern mass media which have dominated the landscape of Abak rural region have not been very effective in mobilising the grassroots who are mostly rural, poor and illiterate for development. Adopting the survey research method using primary and secondary data sources a sample size of 175 drawn from Abak, were selected for the study. Simple percentages, tables, frequencies and charts were used to analyse the data. The findings shows that traditional communication is useful and effective for creating health awareness; traditional communication or media tools exist for creating health awareness; traditional communication media can be strategically used to reach the rural populace; there are significant hindrances to effective utilization of traditional communication media; and there are policies and projects that boost the use and impact of tradition communication. The recommendations are effective needs assessment, effective use of traditional communication media to reach the grassroots given their low literacy level, for adequate awareness, sensitisation and mobilisation for development, proper funding of traditional communication to preserve cultural values and heritage, greater involvement of traditional institutions and persons for effective creating health awareness.