Comparative analysis of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical intervention videos on Facebook: Insights from Nigeria and Benin Republic

Authors

Jimme Matyek, Department of Mass Communication University of Jos, NigeriaFollow
Sheba Umbule Tayo-Garbson, Department of Mass Communication Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, NigeriaFollow
Philomena Effiong Umoren PhD, Department of Mass Communication, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria.Follow
Benmun Paul, Plateau State University, NigeriaFollow
Emeka Williams Etumnu, Department of Mass Communication, Imo State University, OwerriFollow

Date of this Version

9-22-2023

Abstract

Facebook has been adopted by public health organisations for health promotion, psychoeducation and behaviour change campaigns. Studies have underscored the potential advantages of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in decelerating the transmission of COVID-19 and mitigating its severe health consequences. However, these studies did not content analyse these NPI messages especially on Facebook. This study sought to investigate the phenomenon of NPI COVID-19 videos on Facebook that were viewed by Nigerians and Beninese. This study used quantitative content analysis as the research design and analysed 56 Nigerian videos and 36 Beninese videos totalling 92 on Facebook with an inter-rater reliability of 96%. The findings from the comparative study showed that Nigeria had more sources (21) than Benin (12), and had more collaboration between sources (9) than Benin (3); in Nigeria, there was a strong preference for 2-Dimensional Cartoon videos while the Benin Republic relied heavily on the Recorded Video format; Nigeria and Benin both have themes on specific practices and aspects of COVID-19 prevention and management, such as Using Hand Sanitizers, Wearing a Facemask, COVID-19 Information; Public Service Announcements was a major characteristics of NPI COVID-19 videos in Nigeria and the Benin Republic; Nigeria and Benin both used national languages (i.e. Englishand French) and local languages to communicate NPI COVID-19 videos. The findings of this comparative analysis provide valuable insights and practical recommendations for effective COVID-19 information dissemination strategies in Nigeria and the Benin Republic.