The Use of Social Media Platforms as Awareness Creation Tools for the Hepatitis B Virus in Lagos State

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue II, February 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Use of Social Media Platforms as Awareness Creation Tools for the Hepatitis B Virus in Lagos State

Nsikan Senam¹, Charles Okonji ^2
1Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
²Department of Mass Communication, Anchor University, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: The social media have constituted a fundamental platform for the dissemination of vital information for use by members of the society. This makes it necessary to expect that some vital information on health issues, such as Hepatitis B Virus, can be transmitted to people through social media platforms, despite some outstanding dysfunctions of the social media. This study examines the extent to which social media platforms are used to the tools for creating awareness on Hepatitis B Virus in Lagos, Nigeria. The population of the study was 14,368,332 which was the projected population of Lagos State. The sample size was 400 selected through the multi-stage sampling method. The questionnaire was the instrument for data gathering. Findings of the study revealed that majority of Lagos State residents were exposed to social media platform. Also messages on Hepatitis B Virus were transmitted through the various social media to residents of Lagos State. It was therefore recommended among other things that operator and managers of health facilities in Lagos State should make use of the social media platforms as part of the potent channels of transmitting information on health issues such as Hepatitis B Virus.

Keywords: Awareness, Facebook, Hepatitis B Virus, Instagram, Lagos, social media, WhatsApp

I. INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis, a viral infection, is known to affect the liver, a strategic organ in the body. The liver produces bile for digestion, filters toxins from the body, breakdowns food, and excretes bilirubin, among other functions. Mancinelli et al (2020) identified five types of viral hepatitis, which include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. According to these experts, Hepatitis A virus (HVA) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are transmitted through the consumption of food or water, which is contaminated by feces from an infected person, while Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis D virus (HDV) are contracted through contact with infectious body fluids like blood, vaginal secretions, or semen.
In Nigeria, some medical experts have expressed much concern at the rate that HBV is spreading without the Federal Government making serious efforts to address it. As they claimed, HBV is spreading astronomically. Some asserted that HBV is about 50 to 100 times deadlier than Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), an infection that destroys white blood cells, called CD4 cells, and weakens the body’s immune system. Yet, only a few people in the country are

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