Magnitude to which selected predictors contribute to alcohol and cigarette use among male students of public day secondary schools in Daura municipal, Kastina state (Published)
The increase in alcohol and cigarettes use among young people than any population strata is of great concern. The use of alcohol that began in African traditional society as an activity for political, religious, cultural and social relations has evolved over time into a problem of dependence and addiction. Despite concerted prevention efforts, studies have been conducted to unravel etiological complexities of this drugs use problem. This study sought to examine the extent to which the family predictors, peer-group influence, exposure to pro-alcohol and cigarette mass media content and level of self-esteem contribute to the use of alcohol and cigarettes among male students in public day secondary schools in Dauru municipality, Kastina. To achieve this purpose, ex post factor research design was used and independent variables were studied retrospectively. Multistage cluster, probability proportionate to size and purposive sampling methods were used to select the participating schools and respondents. A sample size of 327 students was selected from total population of 2279 from nine sampled schools. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect data on students ‘demographic and background characteristics, level of self-reported alcohol and cigarettes use and social influence [ parents, siblings’ and peers and exposure to pro-alcohol and cigarettes mass media content ] that promote use of these drugs. Rosenberg self-esteem scale was used to measure respondents ‘self-esteem. Data was analyzed by used of frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulation, chi-square and logical regression. SPSS version 15.0 computer program was used to aid in data analysis. The study established that peer-group influence had the greatest contribution to high alcohol and cigarettes use, followed by family predictors accounted for 44% of high alcohol and cigarettes use collectively. These findings may be useful in prioritizing targets for prevention and intervention programs.
Keywords: Alcohol, Family predictors, Mass Media, Parental influence., cigarette use, self-esteem
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA (Published)
This study advocates the role of the mass media in creating increase consciousness, awareness, education and knowledge about environmental issues, problems and challenges in Nigeria. It asserts that man is environment –dependent, as such, there is need for man to be environment conscious. It also advocates a more precise, organized, and purposeful Media approach in creating environmental consciousness in the minds of the populace for national development and sustainability.The quantitative data analysis was employed for this work. The raw data collected from respondents were presented and analyzed using simple percentages. Purposive random sampling technique was employed to select the 50 final students of Mass Communication department in Babcock University, irrespective of their genders and ethnic backgrounds, and 50 from School of Basic and Applied Sciences. The purposive in the sense that, they are knowledgeable and sound to respond to the questions properly and unbiased. Furthermore, the study also suggests multidimensional theoretical application such as: Two- step Theory, Development Media Theory and Agenda- Setting Theory of Mass Communication due to the devastating impacts of environmental pollutions in Nigeria. The study indicated that Mass Media are powerful organ, as such effective use of Mass Media can mitigate the environmental pollution in Nigeria. It concluded that the journalists should challenge the people to become engaged and take ownership of the environmental problems of the society. And, it proposes a guide-dog approach of journalism to environmental issues, problems and challenges for national development.
Keywords: Environmental sustainability, Mass Media, National Development, Nigeria