An Efficacy Appraisal of Communication Strategies for Malaria Eradication among Antenatal Women in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

An evaluation of the effectiveness of communication strategies for eradicating malaria among antenatal women in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria was undertaken. Using the survey method, a sample of antenatal women in Enugu metropolis was studied. Results showed the media messages on malaria eradication were not only clearly understood by a segment of the target audience, antenatal women, but also addressed the critical questions on their minds. The messages were also educative, informative and illuminative to the target audience. The messages employ the participatory method. Nonetheless, the messages do not produce behaviour change in the audience, nor do they prompt the audience to take the recommended actions. This paradox was attributed to poverty, which is not only linked to endemic malaria challenge, but also influenced audience response to campaigns. The study recommended increased exposure time to improve bombardment, more participatory and integrated
communication rather than awareness and increased knowledge, and policy to compel women and children to sleep under insecticide-treated bed-nets.