Benin Residents’ Reception and Responsiveness to COVID-19 SMS Messages from the National Centre for Disease Control

Alhaji Musa Liman, PhD; Julius Abioye Adeyemo, PhD; Mildred Ikenebomeh Omokhepue

Alhaji Musa Liman, PhD Department of Mass Communication University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Julius Abioye Adeyemo, PhD Department of Public Relations and Advertising School of Communication, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria
Mildred Ikenebomeh Omokhepue Department of Mass Communication University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine Benin residents’ reception and responsiveness to COVID-19 SMS messages from the National Centre for Disease Control. Survey research design was adopted, while questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The findings showed that the respondents were highly exposed to COVID-19 SMS messages of NCDC. The high level of COVID-19 knowledge recorded in this study could be as a result of the calibre of respondents who participated in the survey. They, however, lacked confidence in the messages and this in essence could constitute a stumbling block to their eventual compliance with the directives of the messages. Thus, it was recommended among others that efforts targeting every group of the Nigerian population would constitute holistic and viable approach in ascertaining and enhancing public perception of and confidence in NCDC's SMS messages and other related communication efforts on COVID-19.

Author Biographies

Alhaji Musa Liman, PhD, Department of Mass Communication University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Mildred Ikenebomeh Omokhepue, Department of Mass Communication University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria