EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DRUG ABUSE SENSITISATION AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN NIGERIA
| dc.contributor.author | Oko-Epelle Lydia | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-09T16:49:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-09T16:49:12Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-12 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the effectiveness of the use of social media for drug abuse sensitisation among undergraduates in Nigeria. Given the widespread use of social media and the prevalence of drug-related content, this study aims to understand how exposure to anti-drug and pro-drug messages affects students’ attitudes and behaviours. The social media platforms that were examined in this study include Tik-Tok, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, X (formerly twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook and Youtube. A descriptive research design was used, while the population of the study comprised undergraduates from three public universities in Nigeria: Osun State University, Osun State, Kwara State University, Kwara State and the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select 400 respondents for the study, and data were collected through an online, self-structured questionnaire. Reliability testing yielded a Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.71, ensuring consistency in the instrument. Data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences while frequency tables and percentages were used to present results. Findings indicated that while students are frequently exposed to social media content that promotes awareness against drug abuse, many feel that current anti-drug efforts on these platforms are insufficient. Further findings showed that social media also exposes students to content that glamorises drug use, which can influence their peers. Most respondents suggested that sanctions on prodrug content could help mitigate this exposure. The study concludes that while social media has the potential to disseminate anti-drug messages widely, it is currently not doing enough in curbing drug abuse. The study underscores the need for a strategic approach to social media messaging on drug abuse, emphasising the potential of digital platforms as powerful tools for health communication. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | website: http://njomacs.com | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.run.edu.ng/handle/123456789/4530 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies | |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | 7; 1 | |
| dc.title | EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DRUG ABUSE SENSITISATION AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN NIGERIA | |
| dc.type | Article |