Assessment of Hepatitis Virus awareness among Journalists in Ogun State, Nigeria

The role of Journalists in creating awareness and causing behavioral changes that will prevent the spread of the Hepatitis virus through the provision of accurate information on its causes, modes of transmission, and prevention cannot be understated estimated. Therefore, this study sought to assess the knowledge and opinion of journalists and public health practitioners in Ogun State, Nigeria about hepatitis virus reportage among journalists in Ogun State. The study adopted a qualitative research method using interviews and focus group discussion for data collection from the selected 18 health reporters and 5 public health officials. The study adopted two methods of samples, the extreme (or deviant care) sampling and convenience sampling methods of the non-probability sampling type. The research was anchored on Health Belief Model under the Theoretical framework. The data obtained were analyzed thematically. The findings show that Journalists do not make inquiries on hepatitis virus like other endemic diseases in Ogun State. It also revealed that public health officials are willing to release information on the hepatitis virus to the journalist but health journalists are not always interested in getting information about the hepatitis virus in Ogun State. The findings also show that the Rule of privacy and media ownership pattern is part of the barriers to the collection and reporting of information on the hepatitis virus in Ogun State. The study recommended that health communication programs educators should always lay more emphasis on trending global health issues to produce knowledgeable health reporters, who can deliver health information to the people. Moreover, Health workers should always invite media practitioners to their campaigns and seminars to educate both correspondences and specialized reporters on hepatitis as well as other health issues.