ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONAL COMMUNICATION ON COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS IN IBIONO IBOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

The research work is Assessment of Traditional Communication on Community Awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. The study is built on the following objectives to find out if the people of Ibiono Ibom L.G.A use traditional methods of communication; to ascertain the types of traditional communication used by the people of Ibiono Ibom L.G.A; to determine if traditional communication is used in creating awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A; to ascertain the effectiveness of traditional communication in creating awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A. Two theories was consider as the theories that best relates to this study, the theories were Psychodynamic and Social Learning Theories. Adopting the survey research method using primary and secondary data sources a sample size of 383 respondents were selected for the study out of the total population of 385,145 people in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Simple percentages and frequency distribution tables were used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that traditional Communication is use effectively in creating awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A.; there are traditional communication media tools for creating awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A. and include; town crier, town union meetings, Obong and his cabinet, age grades, native language, folk lores, divination, church, small group meetings and festivals etc.; traditional communication media can be strategically used to reach the rural populace; and that there are particular policies/projects that boost the use of traditional communication media. The recommendations are Messages, programmes and projects targeted at the rural populace should be well designed in line with the wishes and aspirations of the rural populace through adequate and thorough research on their needs; there should be adequate and proper education and sensitization programmes aimed at bringing to the ruralites’ awareness the gains of taking precaution of HIV/AIDS, and this should be done through the best and most relevant traditional media; there should be proper funding of traditional media of communication, as this will help to preserve our values, norms and heritage and also there should be involvement of traditionally inclined persons (example- members of a particular rural area; chieftaincy title holders, rural-based youths and market women, rural-based clergy men/women, rural-based government/development officers) in executing campaigns such as HIV/AIDS awareness creation, so as to ensure and enhance easy relationship which can only be guaranteed through goodwill, better understanding and co-operation etc.