APPRAISAL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BROADCAST MEDIA TO HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the extent to which the broadcast media contribute to combating HIV/AIDS. Survey research design was adopted with questionnaire as the research instrument for data collection. Findings revealed that the broadcast media in Benue State contributed in combating HIV/AIDS to a large extent. Another finding of the study revealed that educating the people that HIV/AIDS is real; letting the people to involve in regular testing to ascertain one’s status; Consistency in the use of anti-retroviral drugs by people living with the virus; Avoiding stigmatization against those living with the virus; Abstinence from indiscriminate sex; Sticking to one trusted partner; Consistency in the use of condom while involving in indiscriminate sex; Support and assistance to those infected with the virus; Avoiding indiscriminate use of sharp objects; and Avoidance of blood transfusion without screening were some of the specific ways that the broadcast media contribute in combating HIV/AIDS in Benue State. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the broadcast media in Benue State contribute to combating the snag of HIV/AIDS to a large extent. The study recommended therefore, that the broadcast media should continue to be used as channels for HIV/ AIDS awareness campaigns since they have been found to be effective in combating HIV/AIDS. Since HIV/AIDS is still available in the society, the broadcast media should continue to wage the war against the disease until it is finally vanish on the surface of the earth. Another recommendation was that the broadcast stations in Benue State should ensure the production of HIV/AIDS programmes in indigenous languages to help eliminate the barrier in accessing broadcast HIV/AIDS information caused as result of the production of HIV/AIDS programmes in English Language. HIV/AIDS programmes produced in English Language can be translated in native languages in the state to help carry all segments of the people along.