Myths Around Stroke and Failures of Broadcasts Preventive Communication: Lived Experiences of Stroke Patients and Survivors in Nigeria

Abstract

Despite that stroke is regarded as the second cause of death in the world, it is less discussed in the media, as such awareness. The study which was anchored on Health Belief Model adopted a qualitative research design, while the interview was employed as the data gathering method from the informants purposely selected from Stroke Rehabilitation Center, Osogbo, Nigeria. Thematic Analysis, with the aids of NVivo 10 Software, was adopted to carry out the analysis. The study’s findings revealed that stroke patients and survivors expressed disappointment at the low attention given to the coverage of the incidence of stroke in Nigeria, despite lots of myths surrounding it. Among the challenges encountered by stroke patients and survivors include inadequate stroke information especially, from broadcast media, and lack of awareness. The study recommended that journalists should be more proactive in reporting and discussing stroke, especially on symptoms, causes, and management, as a large number of victims exist in developing countries where there is a high case of stroke prevalence. It also recommended that government should equip public hospitals with tools and personnel to be able to manage all forms of paralysis.