Assessment of Radio Messages in the Campaign against Open Defecation in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Background: The practice of open defecation, a behaviour that has persisted since the dawn of humanity, continues to pose significant global challenge, particularly affecting developing countries, with Nigeria being among the most severely impacted. Objective: The study assessed the extent and efficacy of radio messages in the campaign against open defecation in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Method: Quantitative research design was used to collect data from 384 adult respondents through availability sampling technique. Close-ended questionnaire was deployed to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to present and analyse data. The data was presented in frequency and percentages tables and charts. Results: Messages on open defecation from radio was extremely low. Conclusion: The study concluded that although radio is a critical stakeholder is the effort to address open defecation practice in Nigeria, radio have not done enough in this regard. This could be attributed to too much political programmes that occupy radio airwaves in Nigeria at the detriment of health and environmental issues like open defecation and cholera. Unique Contribution: Open defecation has remained a problem in our society particularly in the rural and semi-urban areas. Efforts at ending this menace have remained topical across fora. This topical subject has formed the focus of this study. It is therefore hoped that the article would help push the frontiers of our understanding in this area and contribute in solving open defecation problems in Nigeria and elsewhere. Key Recommendation: Radio organisations and the media as a whole in Nigeria should increase their information and enlightenment coverage of open defecation practice in the country. As a policy recommendation, the government of Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole should set up community media organisations LGAs and across the country to help sensitise the citizens on programmes such as Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), The Hygiene Promoters, YOUTHWASH Strategic Programme and the Executive Order no. 009.