NOISE POLLUTION AND COMMUNICATION INTERVENTION INITIATIVES: A STUDY OF ONITSHA AND OGBETE MAIN MARKETS TRADERS’ AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH RISKS AND ACTION.

SOURCE:

Faculty: Social Sciences
Department: Mass Communication

CONTRIBUTORS:

Onwukwalonye, B.C;
Adum, A;

ABSTRACT:

This dissertation focused on examining the level of awareness and knowledge of health risks and action of traders in Onitsha and Ogete Main Markets as regards the health hazards associated with exposure to noise pollution. It also investigated the level of campaign initiatives directed towards creating such awareness, knowledge and action. The study adopted mixed method approach to generate both quantitative and qualitative data. The cluster sampling technique, systematic and random sampling procedures were used to select 371 traders who participated in the study. Structured interview was used as instrument for quantitative data generation while key-informant interview was used to generate qualitative data. Seven persons participated in key-informant interview. Health Belief Model was adopted as the most relevant theoretical framework for the study. The study found, among other things, that most traders are sufficiently aware that exposure to noise pollution is dangerous to human health but do not think it can harm them personally. They do not think it is possible to be protected from exposure to noise. Most of them do not take precautions for self protection from the negative effects of exposure to noise pollution. The study found that knowledge of available preventive health practices may not be associated with expected action if people are not properly informed and sensitised. The study also found that communication intervention relating to creating awareness of the dangers of exposure to noise pollution is arguably non-existent in the markets studied. Bureaucratic and legislative processes as well as budgetary limitations were found to be part of the hindrances to health communication intervention initiatives. In addition to calling for communication intervention initiatives to create awareness on the dangers of exposure to noise, the study recommends advocacy to legislators and relevant ministries / agencies on the need to support such initiatives.