CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The 2019‑nCoV outbreak and response has been accompanied by an “infodemic:” an over-abundance of information — some accurate and some not — that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. Due to the high demand for timely and trustworthy information about 2019‑nCoV, WHO technical risk communication and social media teams have been working closely to track and respond to myths and rumours. WHO and partners are working 24 hours a day to identify the most prevalent rumours that can potentially harm the public’s health, such as false prevention measures or cures. These myths are then refuted with evidence‑based information. WHO and partners are making public health information and advice on the 2019‑nCoV, including mythbusters, available on social media channels (including Weibo, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest) and organizational websites. In addition, an expanding group of global response organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are coordinating efforts with WHO to ensure that biomedical recommendations can be applied at the community level. These organizations are active at the global, regional, and country level to ensure that affected populations have a voice and are part of the response. Ensuring that global recommendations and communication are tested, adapted, and localized will help countries better control the 2019‑nCoV outbreak.

        Many African countries have relatively weak health care systems, proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus will be critical. Countries should step up campaigns to educate the public on best practices, including promoting good hygiene and social distancing, discouraging large public gatherings, and encouraging employers to protect the jobs of employees who require quarantine or treatment. Campaigns should elicit the help of religious and civil society leaders for maximum effect. “It is unavoidable that the novel coronavirus epidemic will have a considerable impact on the economy and society” - China’s president Xi Jinping, televised address, February 23, 2020.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The outbreak of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) came as a surprise among people on Nigeria. The most disturbing aspect of it is that most people did not believe that the outbreak of corona virus will get to Nigeria; some regarded the messages on corona virus as not authentic.  The attitude of people to this message on corona virus was not satisfactory. There were a lot of messages on social media (Facebook, whatsapp, twitter, instagram etc) but most people believed that it is not in Nigeria until people started getting infected. It is to this regard that the study is based on the sources and attitude of noun students to whatsapp messages on corona virus

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is examine the sources and attitude of noun students to whatsapp messages on corona virus. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. to examine whether noun student are aware of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria
2. to examine the level of acceptance among noun students to the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria
3. to determine the effect of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) on the behavior of noun students in Nigeria
4. to ascertain the authenticity of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. Are noun students aware of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria?
2. What is the level of acceptance among noun students to the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria?
3. What is the effect of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) on the behavior of noun students in Nigeria?
4. What is the authenticity of the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: the level of acceptance among noun students to the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria is low

H1: the level of acceptance among noun students to the whatsapp messages on corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria is high

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the sources and attitude of noun students to whatsapp messages on corona virus is very important; the study will examine the whatsapp messages received by noun student about the corona virus (COVID-19). The study will identify the significance of the whasapp message on corona virus (COVID-19) to the level of awareness among noun student about corona virus. The study will serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on the sources and attitude of noun students to whatsapp messages on corona virus

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

 The study will cover on the sources and attitude of noun students to whatsapp messages on corona virus

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19):

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell.