NIGERIA INFO 92.3FM AND WAZOBIA 94.1FM RADIO CAMPAIGN AGAINST MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST YOUTHS IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health amongst youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.  The objectives were to find out if youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area are exposed to Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health, ascertain the perception of youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area toward Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health, determine if Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health has influenced the attitudes of youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and examine if there are factors that militate against Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health amongst youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.  The study employed Agenda-setting Theory.  A total population of 1,076,000 represents the youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.  A sample size of 400 was determined using Taro Yamene’s (1967) statistical formula.  While the multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used for the study.  Questionnaire was the instrument used for gathering relevant data for the study.  Data were presented in tables and percentages while questions were analyzed using the four point likert scale computation weighted in grand mean.  The finding revealed that youths in Obio/akpor Local Government Area are exposed to Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health regularly. The finding revealed that youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area perceived Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health as poor. The finding affirmed that Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health has moderately influenced the attitudes of youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The finding affirmed that there are factors that militate against Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM radio campaign against mental health amongst youths in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area which are poor funding, bureaucratic bottlenecks, epileptic power supply, poor communication facilities, poor personnel and limited access and coverage.  The study concluded that state government, non-governmental organisations and community leaders should fund, support and encourage radio stations to carry out continuous awareness creation on mental health issues amongst Nigerian youths especially in Rivers State so that they can apply certain measures to improve their mental health and to live long.  However, the study recommended that radio stations in Nigeria especially Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM should continue to expose the youths to radio campaign against mental health in all nooks and crannies in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. It recommends that radio stations especially Nigeria Info 92.3FM and Wazobia 94.1FM should carry out entertaining, convincing and educating radio campaign against mental health in English, pidgin and local languages so that the youths can see it as satisfactory. Finally, the study recommended that state government and non-governmental organisations should fund, support and partner with radio stations to campaign vigorously against mental health amongst youths in Nigeria especially in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State to maintain healthy living and help the youths fulfill their career in the future.