New Media and Mass Communication www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3267 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3275 (Online) Vol.33, 2015 49 Patterns of Exposure To Communication Interventions On Obstetric Fistula Among Men In Ebonyi State, Nigeria CHRISTIAN CHINEDU ODOEMELAM DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA judahmandate@gmail.com UCHE VICTOR EBEZE DEPT. OF MASS COMMUNICATION, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA ucheebeze@yahoo.com Abstract Male involvement in maternal health issues continues to draw the attention of all stakeholders in Nigeria. Obstetric vesico vagina fistula is a maternal health outcome in developing countries like Nigeria, where social and economic factors combine to perpetuate the situation. Communication interventions in obstetric fistula remain core eradication agenda strategy and exposure to intervention messages among men, may facilitate increased men’s involvement in eradication initiatives. While there are empirical evidences showing women’s obstetric fistula communication intervention exposure patterns, men’s perspectives in this regard, is largely unknown. As a result, the study assessed patterns of exposure to obstetric fistula communication interventions among men in Ebonyi State, south-east, Nigeria. From a population of 1,064,156 as estimated by National Bureau of Statistics, a randomized total sample of 480 respondents was studied in a structured questionnaire survey with the aid of the Cochran sampling technique. Pearson’s r correlation coefficient of 0.75 confirmed the reliability of the questionnaire instrument. Data were analyzed in simple percentages and mean values with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Findings showed that: (i) majority (n= 361, 80.4%; N= 449) of the respondents were exposed to intervention messages, (ii) radio remained the highest medium (n= 94, 26%, x̄ = 9.0) of exposure among respondents, (iii) audio related formats (songs) were the major genre (n= 77, 21.3%, x̄ = 14.2) in which exposure occurred. These outcomes suggest a strong role for mass media communication interventions in support of investments in obstetric vesico vaginal fistula campaign for men’s involvement in the eradication of obstetric fistula in Ebonyi State. Among others, recommendations include the need for Advertisers and health care practitioners to find better ways of improving song related advert messages/campaigns so as to improve men’s participation in the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula. Introduction Obstetric vesico vagina fistula is an unpleasant health outcome of female reproductive health in developing countries like Nigeria, where social and economic factors combine to perpetuate the situation. Wall et al (2010) and the HERA Draft Report (2009) found that Obstetric fistula is inextricably linked to maternal and reproductive health and the childbirth process and that Nigeria is one of the 13 countries contributing 70% of the fistula incidence in the world. Currently, the annual obstetric fistula incidence in Nigeria is estimated at 2.11 per 1000 births (Umoiyoho & Inyang-Etoh, 2012, p. 194). While it is estimated that 33,000 new cases of OVVF incidence occur yearly in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria has over 20,000 of new cases added yearly to the prevalent population of unrepaired cases (Umoiyoho, 2012; UNFPA, 2010). Obstetric fistulae are caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention. The pressure of the baby’s head in the birth canal causes a hole to form between the bladder and the vagina (VVF) or between the rectum and the vagina (recto-vaginal fistulae). As a result, the women become incontinent. Additionally, such complicated labours result in the death of the baby in 90% of cases. Untreated obstetric fistulae lead to chronic medical, social and psychological problems and represent one of the most degrading morbidities resulting from childbirth (Fiander & Vanneste, 2012, p.77). Male involvement in maternal health issues continues to draw the attention of all stakeholders. According to Davis et al (2013), men can positively influence maternal health in a variety of ways. Male involvement includes men making informed decisions with their partners about family planning or seeking and sharing information about appropriate health behaviours and care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum (Salam, 2012). Men can encourage and support antenatal care (ANC) attendance, ensure good nutrition and reduced workload during pregnancy, assist with birth preparations, and provide emotional support (Kauzara et al, 2011). Ensor et al (2014) found a strong relationship between ante-natal care service usage and better obstetric outcomes. brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE): E-Journals