THE MASS MEDIA SENSITIZATION OF CITIZENS ON CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN AKAMKPA AND BIASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF CROSS RIVER STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the mass media sensitization of citizens on coronavirus pandemic in Akamkpa and Biase local government areas of Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated to direct the study. The population of the study was 1050 of respondents. Descriptive survey design was used in carrying out the study with a sample of 889 respondents adopted for the study. An instrument titled; Mass Media Sensitization of Citizens and Coronavirus Pandemic Questionnaire (MMSCCVPQ) was used for data collection with a 23 items structured. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha method at 0.79. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The results of the study revealed that there is a low level of covid-19 symptoms, transmission and prevention awareness through different mass media sensitization among the citizens in the study area. It was recommended among others that citizens should avoid crowded social activities such as weddings, churches and burial places and also the citizens should avoid unnecessary visits.