Social Media Alternative for Health Communication in Nigeria

Introduction

With the changing dynamics in developed and developing economies of the world, technological innovations have ushered in new ways of communication and information sharing. This way, the use of internet has become part and parcel of daily routines for individuals, businesses, organisations and governments. In the case of Africa as a whole, the global statistics on internet use indicate that from year 2000 up to date, there is a penetration rate of 35.2% (Internet World Stats, 2018). As of year 2000, there were barely two hundred thousand internet users in Nigeria. Fast-forward to 2018, the internet population has grown to over 98 million people. According to Internet World Statistics (2018), this shows a penetration rate of 50.2% by the estimated population. By this global increase in internet use, social media tend to also offer a suitable platform for the projection of health communication to benefit citizens with varied levels of exposure across ages.

Global reports on world population shows an explosion and Africa alone has experienced a rapid population growth (van Bavel, 2013). Data available through the United Nations project that by the year 2050, more than half the world’s global population growth rate will be that of Africa (UNDESA, 2017). This population surge is not alien to Nigeria, whose widely popularised giant of Africa holds sway. Today, the World Population review approximate Nigeria’s current population to be 206.14 million people. There is no doubt that with such increase, there is also a great possibility that the continent will record an all high increase rate in health concerns.

Most recent disease outbreaks on the Africa continent include ebola virus, cholera, meningitis, yellow fever, zika virus plague, lassa fever, bird flu, measles, polio, typhoid, hepatitis, diarrheal, malaria (CDCP, 2017). These reported cases have variously claimed lives of unsuspecting victims, who ought to (if only they had the required information) have taken preventive measures. Hence, the need to use all available means to match the information needs of such growing population.

Using the backdrop of these statistics, it is clear that there is a growing population in Nigeria. To match the needs of the people, certain factors have the ability to ensure effective health communication. Among other relative issues are improved literacy, access to internet - specifically use of social media. In very common cases, internet users are able to search health-related information on the cyberspace but those who are unable to extensively navigate, social media becomes the easiest means to access the needed information. The potential benefits of using social media are vast because information and communication technologies have transformed web interaction a face-to-face process.

The health sector has experienced laudable improvement in service delivery, and the use of communication techniques to promote public health. Apart from using the mass media and other more traditional means (such as word of mouth, public announcements in markets, religious gathers, etc), information and communication technologies have also been utilised to provide the desired boost of the health system. Since the ICTs have offered new media platforms upon which health communication is thriving, there is need for more explorations on this issue.

Generally speaking, everyone needs information about their health to be able to take necessary proactive measures. In any given country, health instability needs to be addressed because, if not taken care of, it (in one way or another) gain grounds to become a global threat. Therefore, the most desired responses to health issues need to have a global outlook. For instance, the United Nations declaration of the millennium development goals clearly stated the need for people to have access to safe drinking water. This pronouncement on health emphasized the need to prevent individuals of all ages from suffering the lack of proper health care and eventual death(s).

The best approach to ensure the occurrence of preventable sicknesses and deaths is first to adequately provide people with information on best measures and practices. This brings us to the role play of health communication. Reports reveal that more than one third of deaths which occur across Africa have health-related causes. They include consumption of unclean water, poor sanitation and contaminated foods. Clearly, health information enlighten people about pathogens, germs, fungi, parasites, protozoans and odours that pose harm to the body if unnoticed.