NTA TELEVISION COLLEGE, JOS

(AFFILIATED TO ABU, ZARIA)

PROJECT PROPOSAL PREPARED BY:

NAME

ODEDELE, FATIMAH OMOBOLANLE

MATRIC NUMBER

U20TJ2035

DEPARTMENT

TELEVISION JOURNALISM

PROJECT TOPIC:

MEDIA ROLE IN CORRECTING THE MISCONCEPTION OF FAMILY PLANNING

CONTRACEPTIVES IN PLATEAU STATE: A STUDY OF RESIDENTS OF RAYFIELD, JOS

SUPERVISOR:

DR. SOLOMON OBIDAH

JUNE, 2023
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction/Background to the Study

The researcher intends to create a material of this nature as a background to the study:

The family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction. It
includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one
or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting couple (Muvandi I.J, Dover PA. 2000). Two or
more persons, one of whom is at least 15 years of age, who are related by blood, marriage (registered or de
facto), adoption, step or fostering, and who are usually resident in the same household (The Australian
Bureau of Statistics).

Family is a concept that everyone understands. While it is a universal concept, however, the definition is a lot
more complex. How family is defined can vary from person to person, and even between cultures, countries,
or religions. A group consisting of two parents and their children living together as a unit. A group of people
related by blood or marriage (Oxford Dictionaries).

As society, and the world progresses, the definition of family is constantly changing to be more inclusive
and encompassing of the true structures that make up families today. Traditionally in history, a family was
considered to be two adults, male and female, most often married, living in one household with their own
biological children. This vision of what a family is supposed to be is becoming less of the norm, as other
family dynamics, such as blended families or same sex couples are becoming a lot more prominent and more
widely accepted.

Perhaps in the broadest sense of the word, a family is a group of people who have intimate social
relationships and have a history together (Leeder, 2004, p. 25). Trying to identify only one definition of the
family is like trying to cheat death: it doesn't work and you end up feeling foolish for trying. Rather than
settling for a universal definition, it seems more appropriate to define families according to the particular
issue involved. For example, policies concerned with the socialization of children might use a definition of
family that includes minor or dependent children (Moen and Schorr, 1987).

Family planning, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), family planning is defined as "the
ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing
and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of
involuntary infertility" (working definition used by the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and
Research [WHO, 2008].

The importance of family planning is clear from its benefits to individuals, as well as to families,
communities, and societies (AGI, 2003). Family planning serves three critical needs:

(1) It helps couples avoid unintended pregnancies.

(2) It reduces the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

(3) By addressing the problem of STDs, it helps reduce rates of infertility.

There is various problem attached to family life and planning has made a scientific approach to solve these
problems. It is concerned with the spacing and limitation of child-births in the end to achieve if possible. Its
basic aims are to promote the happiness of married couples through marriage guidance, genetic counseling,
sex education both for parents and children and also the use of contraceptives. In the whole world, it has
identified with limitation of family size. James Allman quotes family planning definition to be "The
conscious action taken by an individual or couples to regulate the number and spacing of their children in
accordance with their personal preferences".

Family planning gives to individuals and couples the better figure to anticipate and attain their desired
number of children by spacing and timing their births Family planning is an important strategy in promoting
maternal and child heathens, it is achieved through the use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of
involuntary infertility. The availability of family planning does more than enable women and men to limit
family size. It safeguards individual health and rights, and improves the quality of life of couples and their
children too. It improves health through adequate spacing of births and avoiding pregnancy at high risk
maternal ages. The most important proximate determinant of fertility is the use of family planning. The term
is most commonly used to actions or program intended to prevent conception or avoid its consequences when
it does occur (William Lieu). Family Planning does not imply absence of children nor sterilization, but it is
concerned only with low rate of reproduction and nothing un-natural and inhuman (M. Iqbal Chaudhry).
(Nasar M. Shah) Knowledge about methods to prevent or delay pregnancy is essential for women and to
control the number of children is (Christopher Tietze) Individuals and couples adopt patterns of birth control
in accordance with their cultural values reinforced by formal or informal social pressure.

Mass media is universally recognized as wielding great influence, but there has been great debate over its
effects, source and control. For McLuhan, mass media is certainly a step closer to his ideal, "global village,"
he writes, "Might not the current translation of our entire lives into the spiritual form of information seem to
make of the entire globe, and of the human family, a single consciousness? "Certainly, a network of
streamlined and widely available information creates a broader social consciousness, especially where mass
media is conducted through various channels, "the hybrid or the meeting of two media is a moment of truth
and revelation from which new form is born."

Scholars have been studying a phenomenon they call "mass communication" or "mass media at least as far
back as the 1920s and have generated a very large literature since then (Lowry &DeFleur, 1988; Potter &
Riddle, 2007). These labels of "mass communication" and "mass media" have been applied to identify a
particular sub-field of study within the broader field of communication, such that it focuses on
communication that is mediated in some way and thus distinguishing it from other forms of communication
such as interpersonal or organizational. While these two terms have served as convenient labels, they have
questionable scholarly meaning; instead. the majority of scholars have treated these terms as primitive
concepts, assuming that everyone understands their meaning, perhaps because the few scholars who have
attempted to parse their meaning have struggled unsuccessfully to articulate a satisfying definition. This
leaves many media scholars uncomfortable with the terms and puzzled about the phenomenon itself. For
example, British sociologist John Thompson (1995) observed that "It has often been noted that 'mass
communication is an infelicitous phrase" (p. 24). McQuail (1984) adds that the concept of mass "is so
complex and even contradictory in its uses and connotations" (p. 35) that it has been very difficult for
scholars to provide a clear definition of "mass" communication.

Lowry and DeFleur (1988) take this argument even further when they assert that because this "is not a
concisely defined field, the study of mass communication has been particularly unsystematic" (p. 3). And in
1982, Bennett observed, "If the term 'mass media' still enjoys a widespread currency, this is more by force of
habit than anything else; a convenient way of marking out an area of study rather than a means of stating how
that area should be studied or of outlining the assumptions from which research should proceed" (p. 31).
The first recorded usages of mass media as a term was in 1923, in Advertising & Selling. Here, mass media
is loosely defined as "representing the most economical way of getting the story over the new and wider
market in the least time.” The etymology of the concept is crucial in understanding "mass media" as it is
composed of two, highly nuanced words. Media generally defined, is, "the main means of mass
communication, esp. newspapers, radio and television regarded collectively; the reporters, journalists, etc.,
working for organizations engaged in such communication.

"Mass can be defined as, "a large number of human beings, collected closely together or viewed as forming
an aggregate in which their individuality is lost." Important to note is the social hones on "the masses," as a
congregation, they are more than neutral "populace, the ordinary people, esp. as viewed in an economic or
political context."

The concept of mass media itself was not codified in writing until the early 20" century; the significance of
the timing provides support for arguments that mass media help to define the modern period in the West. As
technology progressed, displacing, complementing and augmenting new forms, Mc Luahn and others cite the
expansive quality of media advancements, such as moveable type, into other forms of larger-scale
communication such as newspaper, the radio which rose to fame in the 1920's, disseminating information
through transmissions, and the Television which was commercially available in 1930 and became universal
by the 1950's spreading information by broadcast.

Misconceptions about contraception and contraceptive methods contribute to non-use of contraceptives

among adolescents and young unmarried people. Some authors have reported misconceptions about side
effects and health problems associated with contraceptive methods, as well as negative stereotypes about
contraceptive users. Mistaken beliefs about methods of preventing pregnancy persist among adolescents, and
this raises concerns about the quality of information they receive. Concerted efforts should be made to
debunk these wrong beliefs and properly educate adolescents on safe sex practices. Condom for instance, has
been proven to effectively protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
However, there are misperceptions about how it is used and its effects on fertility and sexual pleasure, which
have contributed to inconsistent use of condoms in sexual partnerships.

The misconceptions aboutfamily planning such as perceptions that family planning is a woman’s activity and
that it also encourages promiscuity among women were factors limiting its acceptance. These misconceptions
could stem from a general lack of knowledge and could be attributed to men having limited access to correct
reproductive health information.

Communication is important if family planning is to be effective, as male partners may significantly

influence the use of any method used by their spouse as directed by the media, and even encourage
attendance in health facilities to obtain these methods.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This research work will serve as one of the major problems which triggered the researcher in carrying out
this investigation:

The problems of unmet need of family planning for the less developed nations is considered as a major
impediment to the development of its people, especially the vulnerable groups including women and
children. The multiplicity of factors and the complex nature of the environments of developing nations,
regarding access, influences decision on health services, and contraceptive measures for that matter, even
though extensively examined by many scholars, have still not been subdued.

Even though the trends of family planning indicators, total fertility rate and contraceptive use in Nigeria have
been improving, there is a challenge of correcting the misconception of family planning contraceptives,
thereby disrupting the access to many women who desire to limit or space births. The non-use of
contraceptives by these women has a commensurate effect on their total well-being and in addition, risk of
Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) abound. This trend is even higher in
rural areas where there is largely limited access to quality care and information reaching them and that of
their children.

1.3 Research Questions

The researcher intends to put forward the following research questions in order to answer the research
problem presented.

1. How often does the medium make awareness on family planning contraceptives?

2. What are the roles of the media in correcting the misconception of family planning contraceptives?

3. What can be done to promote the use of family planning contraceptives through the media?

4. How much information do people get concerning family planning contraceptives from the media?

5. How effective is the media information as regard family planning contraceptives?

1.4 Research Objectives

This study will strive to achieve the following objectives:

1. To assess how often the media make awareness on family planning contraceptives in Plateau state.

2. To understand the roles of the media in correcting the misconception of family planning contraceptives.

3. To profile what can be done to promote the use of family planning contraceptives through the media.

4. To examine how much information people get concerning family planning contraceptives from the media.

5. To examine how effective the media information is as regard family planning contraceptives.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The researcher, therefore, has dimmed it fit to try analyzing the role of the media in correcting the
misconception of family planning contraceptives to the categorized audience. This study therefore wishes to
provide an avenue for an in-depth study on the extent of which the media have created an effect on the
audience regarding, and as well as strive to pinpoint necessary measures that can be put in place to solve the
problems stated above.
1.6 Scope of the Study

This will serve as scope of the study:

This study "Media Role in correcting the misconception of family planning contraceptives in Plateau State"
using the residents of Rayfield as a case of study will essentially be limited to Rayfield, Jos south. And will
be restricted to married women and men, either learned or not.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

If approved, this will also serve as the review of the study where the below variables will be vividly
explained:

To make this research a successful one, the researcher would consider it necessary to make use of
Newspapers, unpublished materials, Journals, Internet materials, Textbooks and related articles as the sources
of the literature for this study. In this area, it is assumed that similar studies have been carried out on this
research topic. The literature review will allow the people to understand the various concepts or variables
that are related and important to this study. The in-depth review of necessary literature will be broadly
discussed under the following headings:

2.1 Conceptual framework

2.1.1 Media

2.1.2 Categories of media

2.1.3 Misconception

2.1.4 Media role in correcting misconceptions

2.1.5 Family planning contraceptives

2.1.6 Concept of family planning

2.1.7 Benefits of family planning

2.1.8 Types of family planning measures/contraceptives

2.1.9 History of family planning

2.1.10 Family planning in Nigeria

2.1.11 Misconception of family planning contraceptives

2.2 Theoretical framework

2.2.1 Communication infrastructure theory

Communication infrastructure theory (CIT) simply posits an ecological approach to studying ways to reduce
health disparities. The theory suggests that individuals’ connections to a multi-level storytelling system are
enabled or constrained by the communication environment.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 INTRODUCTION

The following will be considered in this chapter; Research design, population, sampling technique, sample
size, method of data collection, validity and reliability, data presentation method and analysis.

3.1 Research Design

Survey will be considered as the most suitable design for this study.Survey is a research method, which
focuses on a representative sample derived from the entire population of study, according to
Nwodu(2006:67). The researcher who employs this method therefore will go to the field and select sample
out of the entire population. It has to do with considering administering questionnaires personally to gather
data, and collecting them back from the various respondents in order to analyze the data for a better result.

3.2 Population of the Study

The population of the study will be gotten from below;

Population according to Ogili (2005:53) involves a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher
is interested in getting information from this study. Therefore, the population that will be used for this study
will be residents of Rayfield Jos south local government, Plateau state comprising men and women of
childbearing age between the ages of 18-45. The researcher will choose this population because the
population will make it easier for the researcher to extract research sample from it.

3.3 Sampling Technique

The researcher intends to utilize convenience sampling technique which is a type of non-probability sampling
method. It will be drawn from the population of the study which comprises of both men and women of
childbearing age between the ages of 18-45 within Rayfield, Jos south local government.

3.4 Sample Size

According to the 2006 population, the total number of men and women between the age of 18-45 in Rayfield,
Jos south is 3,388, given that women is 1994, while men is 1394.
Using the Taro Yamane sample size determination, n=N/1+N(r)₂

Where n= sample size, N= Population size, r= 10%

Thereby making the sample sizes 97, approximately 100 respondents.

3.5 Instrument of Data Collection

The researcher intend to use questionnaire as the instrument for data collection as it is considered as the most
appropriate instrument to help in gathering information from the primary sources, i.e. prospective
respondents.

REFERENCES

Leeder, (2004). Community-based study of contraceptive behaviour in Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health;10
90-104.

Lowry & DeFleur, (1988). The acceptance rate of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) amongst
family planning clinic users in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Nig Q J Hosp Med
2008;18:175-80.

Muvandi, I.J, & Dover, P.A. (2000). Heads, tails or equality? Men, women and reproductive health in
Zambia. Center for African Family Studies (CAFS) Nairobi.

Potter & Riddle, (2007). Intended postpartum contraceptive use among pregnant and puerperal women at a
university teaching hospital. Arch Gynecol Obstet, 280:987-92.

World Health Organization (WHO, 2008). Unsafe Abortion: global and regional estimates of the incidence of
unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2003. Geneva.