Women’s preference for folk/modern media in disseminating HIV/AIDS information in a selected rural community in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated women’s preference for folk/modern media in disseminating HIV/AIDS information in a rural community in Nigeria. Survey research design was employed in carrying out the study. A rural community was purposively selected in Oyo State, Nigeria. Snowball sampling technique was employed in selecting seven female key informants while convenience sampling was used to select 30 female respondents between ages 13-49 years. Four focus group discussions and seven key informant interviews were conducted. Findings from the study showed that most of the rural women preferred folk media in receiving HIV/AIDS information while few preferred the modern media. All the rural women reported one behaviour change or the other which included: abstinence, the use of condom during sexual intercourse, not sharing sharp objects such as blade, syringe and needle. Government policy promoting the use of folk media for disseminating information on HIV/AIDS is recommended to support effort by non-governmental agencies.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Preference, Modern media, Folk media, Rural community