Strategic Communication and Management of Malaria Disease in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the role of strategic communication in malaria disease management in Cross River State, Nigeria. The overall objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness or not of the communication strategies, employed by the state ministry of health to address the malaria pandemic in the state. Related literatures were extensively reviewed and the communication–persuasion model, by McGuire was adopted to drive the theoretical framework of the study. The study adopted Survey research design and used structured questionnaires as method of data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings show that the communication strategies employed to tackle malaria in Cross River State were effective and the mass media have been very active in the fight against malaria infections in Cross River State. This shows that mass media especially the broadcast media, played remarkable roles in the sensitisation and mobilisation of the people against malaria. It was concluded that communication is an indispensible aspect of the malaria intervention programme which has equally improve the utilisation of insecticide treated nets, but the strategies in use need improvement and extended to rural parts of the state. Several recommendations were also made including the increased use of conventional media, social media and other community oriented methods to sensitise as well as mobilise the public on the ideal ways of prevention and control of malaria.