Patterns of Exposure to Communication Interventions on Obstetric Fistula among Men In Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Male involvement in maternal health issues continues to draw the attention of all stakeholders in Nigeria. Obstetric vesico vagina fistula is a maternal health outcome in developing countries like Nigeria, where social and economic factors combine to perpetuate the situation. Communication interventions in obstetric fistula remain core eradication agenda strategy and exposure to intervention messages among men, may facilitate increased men’s involvement in eradication initiatives. While there are empirical evidences showing women’s obstetric fistula communication intervention exposure patterns, men’s perspectives in this regard, is largely unknown. As a result, the study assessed patterns of exposure to obstetric fistula communication interventions among men in Ebonyi State, south-east, Nigeria. From a population of 1,064,156 as estimated by National Bureau of Statistics, a randomized total sample of 480 respondents was studied in a structured questionnaire survey with the aid of the Cochran sampling technique.  Pearson’s   r correlation coefficient of 0.75 confirmed the reliability of the questionnaire instrument. Data were analyzed in simple percentages and mean values with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Findings showed that: (i) majority (n= 361, 80.4%; N= 449) of the respondents were exposed to intervention messages, (ii) radio remained the highest medium (n= 94, 26%, x? = 9.0) of exposure among respondents, (iii) audio related formats (songs) were the major genre (n= 77, 21.3%, x? = 14.2) in which exposure occurred. These outcomes suggest a strong role for mass media communication interventions in support of investments in obstetric vesico vaginal fistula campaign for men’s involvement in the eradication of obstetric fistula in Ebonyi State. Among others, recommendations include the need for Advertisers and health care practitioners to find better ways of improving song related advert messages/campaigns so as to improve men’s participation in the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula.