Health Information Dissemination in an Era of Globalization among the Igbos of Southeast Nigeria: Harvesting Resilient Traditional Mass Media Systems to Advantage

Abstract

The objectives of this review paper are twofold. One objective is to examine some resilient traditional mass communication systems of the Igbos of Nigeria. A second objective is to make a strong argument for the optimal use of traditional mass communication channels of the Igbos to strengthen weak health information dissemination systems in the area. The need to harvest existing traditional mass communication channels for propagation and dissemination of health information is sequel to poor performance or failure of several health programmes like use of insecticide treated nets, family planning, exclusive breast feeding and environmental sanitation etc to make the desired impact in the area. More worrisome is the fact that community participation, which is crucial for success of such programmes is at very low level. This situation has been attributed to lapses in health information dissemination strategies, hence this study. The paper identified and strongly canvassed for involvement of age long Igbo traditional mass communication approaches like talking drum, town criers, open market initiatives, smoke signal and the age grades for adequate dissemination of health related information in the area. This it submitted will boost access to appropriate health information and overall performance of the general health services sector in the area.