THE IMPACT OF EDO-FEWMA'S COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE IN OREDO AND IKPOBA-OKHA LGAS, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Communication Strategies, Public Perception, Behaviour Change, Waste ManagementAbstract
This study examined the impact of EDO-FEWMA's communication strategies on public perception and behaviour change regarding flood risks and erosion control in Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State, Nigeria. Despite EDO-FEWMA's efforts to disseminate information about flood risks and erosion control, there remained a significant gap between awareness and action among residents.A quantitative approach using a descriptive survey design was employed, with a sample of 373 residents selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. This methodology enabled systematic assessment of communication effectiveness and behavioural outcomes across diverse communities within the LGAs. The findings revealed mixed outcomes aligned with the study's objectives. While EDO-FEWMA's communications successfully increased awareness of flood risks (mean=3.09) and erosion control measures (mean=3.36), the aggregate mean of 2.76 indicated overall negative perception of communication effectiveness. Similarly, whilst the agency's messages positively influenced waste disposal practices and flood-prevention considerations in construction (mean=3.19), there was limited impact on household-level emergency planning and evacuation compliance (aggregate mean=2.97). The study recommends enhancing accessibility of communication materials, strengthening community engagement mechanisms, developing targeted household-level preparedness campaigns, and addressing specific barriers to evacuation compliance. This research uniquely contributes to knowledge by empirically demonstrating the complex relationship between risk communication and behavioural change in flood-prone Nigerian communities. It highlights how socio-cultural factors and trust influence the effectiveness of disaster risk communication, providing valuable insights for improving communication strategies in similar contexts.
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