Assessment of the effectiveness of broadcast media campaign messages on men’s knowledge of prostate cancer in Etsako West Local Government Area

Abstract

This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of broadcast media campaign messages on men’s knowledge of prostate cancer. A survey method was used to collect data from 600 respondents from Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. The survey instrument was designed to measure respondents’ knowledge of prostate cancer, the extent to which they were exposed to broadcast media campaign messages about the disease, and their perception of the effectiveness of the messages. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the broadcast media campaign messages were moderately effective in increasing respondents’ knowledge about prostate cancer. The results also showed that the broadcast media messages had a positive effect on respondents’ perception of the effectiveness of the messages. Findings shows that those familiar with the campaigns in the media have also admitted that they know very little about prostate cancer before the campaigns began. Most men still reject the idea that the disease has a genetic component, although some of them are just learning about genetic testing now. The minority of men who believe that heredity contributes to prostate cancer risk have consented to DNA analysis. Also, the attitudes of underestimating and overestimating risks of prostate cancer are influenced by high or low amounts of information collected on the subject. The study recommends that; the men in the Etsako West Local Government Area need to have their preconceived notions about prostate cancer dispelled through well-planned mass media campaigns, and that since there is no guarantee of a cure for cancer, despite the availability of medical procedures and therapies, prostate cancer prevention should be stressed in subsequent campaigns giving particular attention to the causes of prostate cancer and how it can be prevented and treated.