ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS IN LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study was on assessment of government public service announcement on coronavirus in Lagos state. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out whether people of Lagos state were willing to hear the instructions of government public service announcement on coronavirus, to find out the knowledge improvement of people of Lagos state towards coronavirus by government public service announcement and to find out whether the people of Lagos state were interested about information on coronavirus instructed by government public service announcement on coronavirus. The total population for the study is 75 selected residents of Ikorodu local government of Lagos state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of the virus that has not been previously identified in humans. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) through the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has continued to lead the national public health response in Nigeria with oversight of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19). The NCDC is also working closely with all states of the Federation to support their response activities to the pandemic (NCDC, 2020)

Several measures have been instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the PTF-COVID-19 together with the Federal Ministry of Health to curtail the spread of the disease and protect the health of Nigerians. This includes an initial lockdown of non-essential activities; closure of schools; a ban on international flights etc.  Nigeria is one of many countries that have commenced the gradual easing of lockdown measures initially instituted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is to ensure a balance between preserving lives and livelihoods while addressing the socio-economic disruptions caused by the outbreak (NCDC, 2020)

Relating to COVID-19 as a national emergency, indigenous populations experience a risk of socioeconomic marginalization as they have limited capacities and opportunities to cope and adapt with limited or no access to technologies. In this case, community engagement is important because it focuses on COVID-19 messages tailored to the relevant national and local context. Public service announcements (PSA) are promotional materials that address issues that are considered a general public concern in an attempt to increase public awareness of specific issues and in many instances, also try to influence public behaviors. Recently, the number of PSAs to promote healthy behaviors have become increasingly popular, including PSAs focused on health education (Balkhi F, Nasir A, Zehra A, 2020)

The study findings of the participants’ immediate reactions included following the advice on the PSAs audio, for instance, maintaining physical distance and washing their hands frequently. This was consistent that demonstrates the attitude toward an advertisement, which was further discussed in the ad theory of commercial advertisement, that explained PSAs may exert a significant positive impact on issue attitude. This is possible since people transfer their feelings to the media. Moreover, according to the research of psychological and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was increased level of anxiety resulting in avoidance behaviors among people. This shows their immediate reactions which reflected a higher tendency for fear for their health safety. Based on this background the researcher wants to assess government public service announcement on coronavirus in Lagos state

Statement of the problem

The present study aimed to understand how one of people in Lagos state expressed immediate reactions, and their behavior reactions: willingness to hear, knowledge improvement, interest, value, awareness about the content and their impressions about the information released by government public service announcement in Lagos state

Objective of the study

The objective of the study is to assess government public service announcement on coronavirus in Lagos state. The specific objectives are;

1. To find out whether people of Lagos state were willing to hear the instructions of government public service announcement on coronavirus
2. To find out the knowledge improvement of people of Lagos state towards coronavirus by government public service announcement
3. To find out whether the people of Lagos state were interested about information on coronavirus instructed by government public service announcement on coronavirus

Research question

The study formulated the following research question

1. Was people of Lagos state were willing to hear the instructions of government public service announcement on coronavirus?
2. Do people of Lagos state adhere to knowledge improvement of coronavirus by government public service announcement?
3. Was people of Lagos state were interested about information on coronavirus instructed by government public service announcement on coronavirus?

Research hypotheses

The research hypotheses formulated the following to guide the study;

H1: people of Lagos state were not willing to hear the instructions of government public service announcement on coronavirus

H2: people of Lagos state were not willing to adhere to knowledge improvement of coronavirus by government public service announcement

H3: people of Lagos state were not interested about information on coronavirus instructed by government public service announcement on coronavirus

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to students, people of Lagos state and the general public. The study will give a clear insight on the assessment of government public service announcement on coronavirus in Lagos state. The study will enlighten the general public on the important of adhering to the instruction of government public service announcement on coronavirus which will be of our good, from observing social distancing, washing of hands etc. The study will also serve as a reference to other researchers that will embark on the related topic

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers assessment of government public service announcement on coronavirus in Lagos state. The study will be limited to the people of Lagos state

Limitation of the study

The challenges encountered in this study include:

1. Reluctance of respondents to disclose information,
2. Distance and area to cover within limited period of time could be a little bit difficult.

In addition, the study faced some challenges in the area of time allotted for its completion. Materials and financial resources also created some problems since the researchers could not have raised much fund for the conduct of the research being students.

Definitions of Terms

Announcement: a formal public statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention.

Coronavirus: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention

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