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Assessment of The Impact of Hot 99.5 Fm's “People's Assembly” Programme on The Campaign ...

Nzotta, Nwamaka Ujunwa, PhD, Orji, Uchenna Franklin, PhD

Assessment of The Impact of Hot 99.5 Fm's “People's Assembly” Programme on The
Campaign Against Open Defecation Practices Among Residents of Owerri Municipal

By

Nzotta, Nwamaka Ujunwa, PhD
Department of General Studies Federal University of Technology, Owerri Email: ujunwamaka@gmail.com
Phone: 08037107708

Orji, Uchenna Franklin, PhD Department of Mass Communication Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma Phone: 07066004499

Abstract
This study examined the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme's campaigns against open defecation among residents of Owerri Municipal.  This study was anchored on the theory of planned behaviour and reasoned action. A survey research approach was adopted in this study. A sample of 384 was determined using the Australian Online calculator. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument was validated, and a correlation coefficient of .913 was obtained. The data obtained were analysed and presented as simple percentages and mean scores in tables. The study's hypotheses were tested using a correlation coefficient. Findings showed that: Owerri Municipal residents' level of awareness of the campaign against open defecation through Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme is high. Owerri Municipal residents' perception of Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on the campaign against open defecation is satisfactory at an average mean score of 1.92; and Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on the campaign significantly influenced Owerri residents' attitude towards stopping open defecation practices. The study also found a strong, positive relationship between citizens' perceptions and the inclination to eliminate open defecation in Nigeria. Also, radio messages significantly influence citizens' attitudes toward ending open defecation. The researchers recommended incorporating a multi-dimensional communication approach into the campaign, as it will allow the integration of other channels in the campaign against open defecation.

Keywords:    Awareness,   Campaign,   Health   Communication,   Open   Defecation,   Radio
Programmes

Introduction
The entire human race, from inception, has been grappling with killer diseases. Regrettably, most of these diseases are products of man's growing wrong interplay with the environment. This has brought to the fore the individual and collective quest for safety by ensuring a healthy society through healthy practices. Health experts and organisations persistently contend that unhealthy human activities in the environment are responsible for over one billion cases of killer

TIDS JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT (TJD) Vol. 1, Issue 1, 2026                                                 _45

diseases such as diarrhoea, cancer, typhoid, giardiasis, cholera, trypanosomiasis, intestinal helminths, schistosomiasis, dracunculiasis, trachoma, poliomyelitis, and others. Open defecation seems to be a pandemic that constitutes part of the contemporary public health challenges affecting the socio-economic development of developing countries. The practice poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of people living in both rural and urban centres. The practice of people defecating in rivers and lakes that serve as drinking water sources in those communities, without regard for the environmental and health consequences, is worrisome (Ogidinta, 2021).

Open defecation is the practice of defecating in open spaces, streams, and rivers that serve as sources of drinking water. This practice often results in the outbreak of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and dysentery, among other diseases that have, over the years, claimed many lives.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 was one of the goals the United Nations adopted to end open defecation by 2030 (UNICEF, 2019). Ending Open defecation is an integral part of SDG 6, which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. On the global stage, international agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID), and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have championed campaigns against open defecation. All the campaigns are aimed at creating awareness, where necessary, and expanding knowledge on the menace or effects of the practice on human health. Accordingly, the Nigerian government also joined the campaign. In November 2018, Nigeria declared a state of emergency in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, thereby demonstrating the political will at the highest level of government to end open defecation. It is important to note that the Water Aids 2023-2028 strategy focuses on accelerating universal access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). There is a strong commitment to build public toilets to end open defecation, WaterAid 20.  Furthermore, a national campaign tagged
'Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet' has been launched to jump-start the country's journey towards becoming Open Defecation Free by 2025 (Water Aid, 2018). Since the launch, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) and other development partners, Civil Society Organisations, National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the media, among others, have helped in the 'Clean Nigeria Campaign' to end open defecation by 2025 the essence is to achieve universal access to safely managed sanitation in the country, Owerri Municipal inclusive, by the year 2025.

The media are central to the transmission of health communication messages that ensure attitudinal and behavioural change. Health communication campaigns are not limited to creating awareness and influencing attitudinal and behavioural change. They also serve as a spring board for interpersonal communication among community members regarding behavioural change. As a medium of mass communication, radio stimulates emotions and enables one-on-one connection and interaction between the programme presenter and the audience. Bhatia (2017) observes that the radio can have direct and indirect effects on the target audience. According to Bhatia (2017), targeted radio campaigns influence individual recipients directly by inviting cognitive or emotional responses. The purpose, according to Bhatia, is to influence individual- level decision-making. On the other hand, when the effect is indirect, the aim is to set an agenda for interpersonal discussion, frequency, depth, or both on a particular health issue within an individual's social network, which may be reinforced in conjunction with personal exposure to messages.

Despite these campaigns mounted across radio stations in Nigeria, the persistent practice of open defecation undermines all efforts by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Governmental, and individual efforts to eradicate it. Hot FM, one of the private radio stations operating in Imo State, has an audience participation program called the People's Assembly, which allows listeners to call dedicated telephone lines and share their views on the day's topic. The topic discussed on this programme, which runs Monday to Friday on this radio frequency, is usually generated and introduced to listeners by the programme presenters. This study, therefore, assessed the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” program in the crusade against open defecation practices among Owerri residents.

Statement of the Problem
With the various campaigns launched from the global scene (UNICEF, 2019) and by the
Nigerian government to achieve open defecation-free societies (Buhari executive order 009,
2019), the unanswered question is: Are the Nigerian populace aware of the campaign to end open defecation, and/or has the knowledge of the campaign permeated the society? This situation might raise questions such as whether the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programmes are not doing enough to increase awareness on open defecation free campaigns, or could it be a problem of fundamental flaws in not using the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on the part of the campaign manager? Also, previous studies in Nigeria (Alom, Ogah & Dogo, 2020; Nwokolo & Nwokolo, 2021; and Geetha & Kumar, 2014) have focused on public awareness, knowledge, and practices regarding open defecation. While the studies mentioned above have addressed public communication about campaigns to stop open defecation in general, as well as the use of social media and mobile phones, few have examined the health implications of open defecation for society. None of the studies assessed the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on the campaign against open defecation and its effect in creating awareness, aimed at stopping open defecation. Thus, this study aims to address this research gap.

Objectives of the Study
1.		Examine Owerri Municipal residents' level of awareness about the campaign against open defecation based on exposure to Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly”programme.
2.        Ascertion of the Owerrri Municipal residents' perception of the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's
Assembly” programme against open defecation.
3.        Determine the influence of Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on Owerri
Municipal residents' attitude towards stopping open defecation practices.

Research Questions
The following research questions guided this study:
1.	What is the level of awareness of Owerri Municipal residents about the campaign against open defecation through Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme?
2.        How do Owerri Municipal residents perceive Hot 99.5 FM's “People's Assembly”
programme against open defecation?
3.        What influence does Hot 99.5 FM's “People's Assembly” programme have on Owerri
Municipal residents' attitude towards ending/stopping open defecation practices?

Research Hypotheses
Ho1: There is no relationship between the level of awareness of radio messages and the eradication of open defecation.

Ho2: The citizens' perception of radio campaigns has no relationship with the elimination of open defecation in Owerri.
Ho: FM radio campaigns have no significant effect on citizens' attitudes toward ending open defecation.

Review Of Literature
Open Defecation Practices
Open defecation refers to the practice of defecating in open fields, forests, bushes, water bodies, or other open spaces (Jones, Fisher, and Reed, 2012). Open defecation is the practice whereby people go to fields, bushes, forests, open defecation of water, or other open spaces to defecate. According to Clasen, Boisson, Routray, and Torondel (2014), open defecation is the human practice of defecating outside (in the open environment) rather than into a toilet. People may choose fields, bushes, forests, ditches, streets, canals, or other open spaces for defecation. They do so either because they lack a readily accessible toilet or because of traditional cultural practices. On the whole, open defecation refers to the practice of defecating in fields, forests, bushes, or open spaces, rather than using a toilet.

Health Implications of Open Defecation

Individuals in various communities have continued to face severe health risks such as diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, viral infections, and infectious illnesses as a result of open defecation. Omoh (2025). In rural regions, almost one-third of families practised open defecation. Open defecation is defined as the practice of going out in fields, shrubs, drains, open bodies of water, and other similar places to defecate. People practice this behaviour because they lack easy access to a toilet or because of traditional cultural customs. In Nigeria, open defecation is a personal as well as a public health issue. Open defecation is a practice that is common in developing and underdeveloped nations. According to the World Health Organisation (2019), 2.4billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines. About 946 million of them still defecate openly in street gutters, bushes, streams, and rivers. This unhygienic practice has led to an upsurge in the transmission of communicable diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. It also provides a fertile ground for several neglected tropical diseases such as intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. Ugwu (2017) explains that experts have warned that when large numbers of people defecate in the open, it is almost impossible not to ingest human waste. Open defecation contaminates not just the environment but also food and water. No wonder, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC, 2018) warns against open defecation, especially during the rainy season, which it say scan lead to deadly infections such as cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea.

Radio Broadcast and Open Defecation Practices
Communication is the lifeline of every society. It creates space for community members to come t o g e t h e r t o a c h i e v e a d e v e l o p m e n t a l o b j e c t i v e . T h i s i m p l i e s t h a t c o m m u n i c a t i o n f o s t e r s understanding among people who share common values and beliefs. In behavioural change, communication is indispensable. A behaviour change communication campaign is vital for influencing behaviours that are detrimental to human health. Many practices that are harmful to human health are entrenched in human culture and beliefs. Campaigns for behavioural change in developing nations influence knowledge and encourage interpersonal communication. This promotes behaviour change. A behaviour change communication campaign not only raises

awareness and drives social change but also serves as a springboard for interpersonal communication within a community on a behavioural issue. The media creates awareness of health challenges in any society, the mechanisms for addressing environmental issues, and how they are addressed, contested, and perhaps resolved.

It is important to note that environmental problems do not simply emerge and announce themselves as issues requiring a social/political response in the form of legislation, research, changes in government interventions, or media campaigns. Problems and issues of various kinds are recognised only through talk, communication, and discourse, which define or construct them as problems or issues for public and political concern. Mass media play a vital role in raising people's awareness of environmental issues and in communicating information about natural resources. It serves this purpose by means of multi-channelregional and network service comprising programmes such as talks, interviews, plays, documentaries, etc.

For instance, with the radio, illiteracy is not a barrier as the literate, semi-literate, and the illiterate can easily comprehend radio messages since it appeals to the sense of hearing. Similarly, messages can be designed and conveyed in local languages. The radio also lends it self to immediacy. Messages, events, or breaking news are heard first on the radio. While we may be lucky to read bits of the story in the evening newspaper, we have to wait for a more comprehensive report of the same event in the daily newspapers the following day. Generally, broadcast media campaigns to end open defecation should promote positive change, be tailored to the audience, be clear and accessible, raise awareness, and promote lifelong socio-cultural modifications.

Empirical Studies
Alom, Ogah, and Dogo (2020), in their study on public awareness and knowledge of approaches to the campaign against open defecation in Benue State, found an adequate level of awareness of the campaign. The study also ascertained the level of community knowledge on the approaches used in the campaign against open defecation in Benue State. The top-most approach found is the use of leaflets, posters, and signboards (50%). Other campaign approaches found to project open-defecation-free status in the State include the use of opinion leaders, town criers, and health workers' mouth-to-mouth campaigns (22%), as well as radio, television, and newspapers (21%). The lowest-rated approaches are social media/blogging (6%). The study found that the community compliance level is very good, although not yet excellent. However, 10% of the respondents still defecate in the open, and an overwhelming 81% have access to toilet facilities. The study concludes that though defecation is a natural urge that is demanded of everyone, the place of latrines and toilets cannot be undermined.

Again, Geetha and Kumar (2014) did a study on Open Defecation: Awareness & Practices of Rural Districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study revealed that open defecation and its attendant medical problems were rampant in the community, with nobody even bothering to do anything to overcome them. While open defecation was in practice, many women, especially mothers (98%), did not know how to dispose of their children's faeces safely.

In the same vein, Nwokolo, and Nwokolo (2021), employing the Social Media and the Mobile Phones (GSM) in the campaign against open defecation in Southeast Nigeria, found that a good percentage of members of the public could be reached with the campaign through social media

networks and GSM such as the Facebook, mobile telephone, among others, in contrast to the conventional media consisting of newspapers, radio and television that have not yielded much in the envisaged awareness and attitudinal change. From a survey sample of 385 respondents drawn from three sampled states of Enugu, Anambra and Abia, using the simple random, convenience and purposive sampling techniques, the results suggest, among others, that the social media and the GSM could be more efficacious in prosecuting the campaign against open defecation given the fast-growing social media literacy and GSM use among the population, especially the youths.

Alhassan and Anyarayor (2018) examined the determinants of adoption of open defecation-free (ODF) innovations: A case study of Nadowli-Kaleo district, Ghana. A qualitative research design was used to gather data from 252 households across seven area councils in the Nadowli- Kaleo District. An interview instrument, along with non-participant observation and key informant interviews, was used to collect qualitative data. The study found that while effective communication about innovation led to widespread awareness, low income significantly hindered households' ability to sustain and use latrines. Other factors that influenced the sustainable adoption of ODF innovations include the health and security advantages, as well as the comfort and dignified experience of privacy. In addition, cultural beliefs contributed to limited attitudinal change, resulting in resistance to adopting and sustainably using ODF innovations.

Omoh, Matthew Omeiza (2025) conducted a study titled "Assessment of Health and Social
Impact of Defecation in the Central Sensing District of Kogi State."
The study investigated the prevalence and drivers of open defecation in Kogi Central Senatorial District. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 400 respondents across selected rural communities in the Kogi Central district. The study found that open defecation is highly prevalent, with 64.75% of respondents admitting to the practice and 65% lacking access to toilet facilities.

Perception analysis shows strong agreement that open defecation is common (wm = 3.90) and contributes to frequent cases of diarrhoea and typhoid, and is more widespread in rural and urban areas. The study found that women and girls face heightened risks, particularly due to a lack of gender sensitive sanitation. Economic hardship and inadequate government intervention are major constraints, while traditional beliefs are influencing factors. The study found a significant relationship between education levels and open defecation practices.

Theoretical Framework
The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and reasoned action.
The theory of planned behaviour and reasoned action predicts deliberate human behaviour, based on the assumption that behaviour can be planned. According to Nzotta (2019), the theory evolved largely from frustration with traditional attitude-behaviour research, much of which was characterised by weak correlations between attitude measures and behaviour.

The theory states that an individual's behaviour is predicated on his or her behavioural intentions, which in turn are predicated on his or her attitudes toward the behaviour and subjective norms.

The theory of planned behaviour and reasoned action was originally developed by Martin Fishbein and Ajzen in 1985. It was further refined by Ajzen in 1991 (La morte: 2016) and has been used to test human behaviour since then. This theory explains that human behaviour is under an individual's voluntary control. It is based on the idea that the most immediate determinant of a person's behaviour is his/her behavioural intention. One's actions can only be influenced by influencing one's intentions. Intention, in turn, is a joint function of one's positive or negative feeling, leading to performing or not performing that particular action. This theory highlights intentions by focusing on attitudes towards risk reduction, responses to social norms, and behavioural intentions vis-à-vis risk.  Therefore, those practising open defecation may not have the intention of infecting others with diseases. Rather, they are freely answering nature's call at the wrong place. Hence, any communication or campaign should highlight the unintended effects of such behaviour, such as open defecation.  For example, the acceptance or approval of family, friends, and peers is likely to influence a person to develop a positive attitude towards a behaviour pattern, thus encouraging his/her intention to see the specific action through to the end. Just like the NCDC messages that help remind some people about diseases and steps to prevent them from getting them and spreading them to others, these messages can help stimulate people's behaviours to do the right thing. As expected, some people may change their attitudes towards open defecation in response to exposure to radio programmes.

Research Methodology
The Survey method was adopted to achieve the study objectives. This method is suitable for the study because it captured the views and perceptions of residents of Owerri Municipal regarding the nature of the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme in the campaign against open
defecation practices. With a projected population of 177,492 radio listeners, the sample size for this study is 384. This was done using an online Australian calculator. For this study, the multi- stage sampling technique was adopted. The cluster sampling technique was used by arranging the study population into clusters or stages.

Stage 1: The researchers used stratified sampling by dividing the study population into strata. Since Owerri Municipal comprises five communities, the researcher categorised the Local Government Area according to the communities that make it up. This is done to ensure that each community is represented in the study.

Stage 2: The researchers adopted the non-proportionate sampling technique in the study. The non-proportional sampling technique is implemented by dividing the study's total sample by the number of previously established communities. Thus,
Sample Size = 384
No of Communities = 5
= 76
Therefore, 76 persons are sampled from each community in the Owerri Municipal area.

Stage 3: The researchers randomly sampled 76 residents from each of the five communities. This is done to meet the study's objectives.

Stage 4: Accidental sampling was used to select the final respondents, ensuring that the instrument was administered to each respondent present on the day of the questionnaire administration. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and served as the

research  instrument.  The  correlation  coefficient  was  0.89.  Respondents  to  the  research instruments amount to 365.

Results:
What is the level of awareness of the Owerri residents of the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's
Assembly” programme on the campaign against open defecation?
In response to the research question above, items 6, 7, 8, and 9 were analysed. Sample size 384
Valid Response 365

Table 1: Respondents' ownership of a radio set

0000 | | Frequency | Percent
Valid | Yes | 311 | 85.20
| No | 54 | 14.80
| Total | 365 | 100
Source: Field Survey, 2025

Table 2: Respondents’ views

on whether they listen to Hot 99.5 FM

| Frequency | Percent
Valid | Yes | 274 | 75.10
| No | 91 | 24.90
| Total | 365 | 100
Source: Field Survey, 2025
Table 3: Respondents' views on whether they have heard about the campaign on ending open defecation in any of the Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programmes

| Frequency | Percent
Valid | Yes | 223 | 61.10
| No | 55 | 15.06
| Cannot say | 87 | 23.84
| Total | 365 | 100

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Table 4: Respondents' level of awareness of Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme on the campaign against open defecation
| Frequency | Percent
Adequately aware | 15 | 4.11
Moderately aware | 53 | 14.52
Slightly aware | 152 | 41.64
Not aware | 67 | 18.36
Cannot say | 78 | 21.37
Total | 365 | 100
Source: Field Survey, 2025

What  is  the  Owerri  residents'  perception  of  Hot  99.5  FM's  “People's  Assembly”
programme on the campaign against open defecation?

Frequency     Percent | Mean

Valid

SD         99                 27.2

D           129               35.3

A           72                 19.7

SA         65                 17.8

Total      365               100

2.28

In answering the above-stated research question, items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 were relied upon. Table 5: Respondents' views on whether a radio programme can change the mindset or traditional belief of most Owerri Municipal residents have about defecating in bushes and open places

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Frequency      Percent | Mean

Valid

SD         146                40

D           219                60

A           0                    - SA         0                    - Total     365                100

1.60

Table 6: Respondents' views on whether radio programmes on the campaign to end open defecation are satisfactory to Owerri Municipal residents

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Frequency     percent | Mean

Valid

SD         237                64.9

D           128                35.1

A           0

SA         0

Total      365                100

1.35

Table 7: Respondents' views on whether the campaign to end open defecation is adequately reported on the radio stations

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Frequency     percent | Mean

Valid

SD        77                  21.1

D           149                40.1

A           91                  24.7

SA        49                  13.4

Total     365

2.31

Table 8: Respondents' views on whether radio messages have remained an effective means of dissemination of information about the campaign to end open defecation

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Frequency    Percent | Mean

Valid

SD        108               29.6

D          157               43.0

A          56                 15.3

SA        44                 12.1

Total     365

2.07

Table 9: Respondents' views on whether radio messages persuade people to stop open defecation            	

Source: Field Survey, 2025

What  influence  does  Hot  99.5  FM's  “People's Assembly”  programme  have  on  the campaign against open defecation on Owerri residents' attitude towards ending/stopping open defecation practices?

In responding to the research question above, items 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 were relied upon for this purpose.

Table 10: The health implications of the messages have influenced Owerri Municipal residents into safe disposal of excreta

Frequency    Percent | Mean

Valid

SD        89                 24.4

D          122               33.4

A          88                 24.1

SA        66                 18.1

Total     365               100

2.35

Source: Field Survey, 2023

Frequency    Percent | Mean

Valid

SD        124               34.0

D          161               44.10

A          49                 13.40

SA        31                 8.50

Total     365               100

1.96

Table 11: Influence on Owerri Municipal residents' willingness to construct pit latrine and water closet systems

Source: Field Survey, 2023

50

Nzotta, Nwamaka Ujunwa, PhD, Orji, Uchenna Franklin, PhD

Table 12: Influence on Owerri Municipal residents to prioritise toilet and sanitation issues

Frequency      Percent | Mean

Valid

SD          127                 34.8

D            178                 48.8

A            39                   10.7

SA          21                   5.7

Total       365                 100

1.87

Source: Field Survey, 2023

Frequency      Percent | Mean

Valid

SD          103                 34.8

D            167                 48.8

A            68                   10.7

SA          27                   5.7

Total       365                 100

1.87

Table 13: Encouraged the spread of awareness of the ills of undesirable sanitation practices.

Source: Field Survey, 2025
Table 14: Involvement of Owerri Municipal residents in keeping their environment clean

Frequency      Percent | Mean

Valid

SD          120                 32.9

D            160                 43.8

A            67                   18.4

SA          18                   4.9

Total       365                 100

2.39

Source: Field Survey, 2025

Discussion of Findings
Owerri Municipal residents' level of awareness of the campaign against open defecation through
Hot 99.5 Fm “People's Assembly” programme

The findings indicate that the respondents' level of awareness of Hot 99.5 FM's “People's Assembly” programme on the campaign against open defecation stands at 60.27%. This is because the majority of respondents are somewhat aware of the campaign to end open defecation. Also, 61.10% of respondents agreed that they had heard about the messages to end open defecation through Hot 99.5 Fm's “People's Assembly” programme. This is because
75.10% of respondents reported listening to Hot 99.5 FM, while 85.20% had access to radio sets. This implies that respondents' awareness of the campaign to end open defecation, based on their exposure to radio messages, is adequate. The low awareness could be due to radio programmes focusing more on recreational issues. This, by implication, means that the majority of respondents go to work with radios to stay aware of matters beyond health. The majority of respondents, who are mainly farmers, either have radio sets or use their phones to stay informed. This implies that radio messages have remained a key source of information about government efforts to stop open defecation, especially in rural communities.

This finding agrees with that of Alom, Ogah, and Dogo (2020). The study found that the majority of respondents had an adequate level of awareness of the campaign against open defecation in Benue State. The level of awareness could also be enhanced through educational policies of the public and private organisations. This aligns with the findings of Omoh (2025), which identified low educational attainment as a major problem in Nigeria.

Owerri Municipal residents' perception of Hot 99.5 FM “People's Assembly” programme against open defecation
The findings on Owerri Municipal residents' opinions of the campaign's radio messages against open defecation indicate that these messages are less effective, with an average score of 1.92. The individual mean scores indicated that the majority of respondents disagreed with the following: the campaign to end open defecation cannot change the mindset or traditional beliefs that most Owerri Municipal residents have about defecating in bushes and open places, and, as such, it cannot change their mindset towards this practice. The campaign aims to advance the populace towards a new culture of safe defecation. The campaign to end open defecation is adequately reported in broadcast media and persuades them to take actions that discourage open defecation. These are evident in the individual mean scores of 2.71, 2.28, 2.30, 1.35, and 2.07. This, by implication, shows that a good number of the respondents in the valid sample do not know much about the programme, as to understand what it is all about. This means that the campaign to end open defecation has been inadequately reported on the radio. This means the radio messages are not persuasive enough to stop open defecation.

These findings also align with those of Nwokolo and Nwokolo (2021), who found that social media and GSM could be more effective in prosecuting the campaign against open defecation, given the rapid growth in social media literacy and GSM use among the population, especially among youth. Also, Alhassan and Anyarayor (2018) found that effective communication of innovation led to widespread awareness.

Influence of the Hot 99.5 FM “People's Assembly” programme on Owerri Municipal residents' attitudes towards ending open defecation practices.

The findings revealed that the campaign's radio messages among Owerri Municipal residents have not significantly influenced their attitudes towards stopping open defecation, with an average mean score of 2.06. The majority of the respondents, on average, strongly disagreed and indicated that there are health implications of open defecation. The messages have failed to influence Owerri Municipal residents to dispose of excreta safely and to construct pit latrines and water systems, despite campaigns to end open defecation. The campaigns emphasised prioritising toilet and sanitation issues; radio messages encouraged the spread of awareness about the ills of undesirable sanitation practices; and the involvement of Owerri Municipal residents in keeping their environment clean, with individual mean scores of 2.35, 1.96, 1.87,
1.77, 2.05, and 2.39. The level of awareness is, however, moderate.

According to the respondents, the radio campaigns do not in any way compel them to think of building or providing toilet and sanitation facilities. This means that radio messages have not been able to sensitise the public by raising awareness of the harms of undesirable sanitation practices. This is because the campaign does not encourage them to dispose of their faeces properly. Here, the majority of respondents do not engage in clean-up activities as a result of the campaign's radio messages on ending open defecation.  In line with this finding, Geetha and Kumar (2014) concluded that open defecation and its attendant medical problems were commonly observed in communities where people are reluctant to embrace a change of behaviour. Whereas open defecation was in practice, mothers (98%) did not know how to dispose of their children's faeces safely.

Test of Hypotheses
Hypothesis One

awareness Level

eradication Inclined                                 .778^**
.000

The result from the above table shows that there is a significant (p <0.05) and positive (p=0.778) relationship between level of awareness of radio campaigns and the eradication of open defecation. It is therefore concluded that, there exists a significant relationship between the level of awareness of radio campaigns and the eradication of open defecation.

Test of Hypotheses Two

^H_02

The citizens' perception of radio campaigns has no relationship with the elimination of open defecation in Owerri. To test the hypotheses, the researcher used the responses in Tables 8 and 9 above. The result of the analysis is as follows

eliminate Open Defecat

ion

eliminate Open Defecat ion

perception Citizen
.911^**

.000

The result indicates a strong, positive relationship (0.911) between citizens' perceptions and the

null hy

inclination to eliminate open defecation. This is further validated with a  o f    0 . 0 0 , indicating a significant relationship. This leads to the rejection of the            pothesis and the
conclusion  that  citizens'  perceptions  of  radio  campaigns  are  significantly  related  to  the inclination to eliminate open defecation.

Test of Hypotheses Three

^H_03

The radio FM campaigns have no significant effect on changing the attitudes
of citizens on ending open defecation. To test the hypotheses, the study used
data from Table II above.

Radio        FM        camp
Attitude

Eradication
Inclined

.784^**
   .000 	

The result indicates that FM radio campaigns increased citizens' inclination to eradicate open defecation, as evidenced by a correlation coefficient of 0.784. With a p-value of 0.00 at the 0.05 significance level, the null hypothesis is rejected; therefore, FM radio has a significant effect on citizens' attitudes toward ending open defecation.

Summary of Findings
The findings from the analysis done in the study show the following:
a.	There is a significant and positive relationship between the level of awareness of radio campaigns and the eradication of open defecation.
b.	There is a strong and positive relationship between the perception of citizens and the inclination to eliminate open defecation.
c.	Radio messages have a significant effect in changing the attitude of citizens on ending open defecation.

Conclusion
This study has exposed the fact that radio messages has been effective in the reportage of the
campaigns against open defecation in Nigeria. It has also shown the need to increase awareness
and knowledge of the campaign. This, by implication, highlights why most government
programmes and policies, through various media campaigns over the years, require new
impetus. This is primarily because the media needs to intensify efforts to keep people abreast of
these policies. This indicates that government and non-governmental agencies should enhance
the campaign against open defecation through adequate publicity to achieve the desired result.

The study shows a strong perception among citizens of the need to eliminate open defecation in Nigeria and contends that the media plays an important role in changing citizens' attitudes toward ending open defecation.

Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of this study, the following recommendations are made:
1)	To increase awareness of the campaign against open defecation, radio stations should consistently use jingles, discussion forums or talk shows, and commentaries, among others, to sensitise the people about the ongoing campaign to end open defecation.

2)	To change public perception towards ending open defecation practices, government and non-governmental agencies should sponsor some programmes on Radio and TV stations to make sure that open defecation campaigns are reported in the form of public service announcements (PSA). This is because changing people's perception can only be done when they are fully aware.
3)	To positively influence the citizens' attitude towards embracing end open defecation practices, the multi-dimensional communication approach should be incorporated in the campaigns, as this approach allows the integration of other channels of communication in the campaign against open defecation.

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Appendix

Correlations 1

CORRELATIONS

/VARIABLES=awarenessLeveleradicationInclined

/PRINT=TWOTAIL NOSIG

/MISSING=PAIRWISE.

Awareness
Level

Eradication
Inclined

Awareness            Pearson
Level                     Correlation

1

_.778^**

| Sig. (2-tailed) | | .000
| N | 365 | 365

Eradication            Pearson
Inclined                 Correlation

.778^**

1

| Sig. (2-tailed) | .000 |
| N | 365 | 365
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

Correlations 2

SAVE OUTFILE='C:\users\oem\Desktop\data for Prof Nzota.sav’

/COMPRESSED. CORRELATIONS
/VARIABLES=perceptionCitizeneliminateOpenDefecation

/PRINT=TWOTAIL NOSIG

/MISSING=PAIRWISE.

Correlations
| Perception Citizen | Eliminate Open Defecation

Perception Citizen

Pearson
Correlation

1

.911 ^**

| Sig. (2-tailed) | | .000
| N | 365 | 365

Eliminate          Open
Defecation

Pearson
Correlation

.911 ^**

1

| Sig. (2-tailed) | .000 |
| N | 365 | 365
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

Assessment of The Impact of Hot 99.5 Fm's “People's Assembly” Programme on The Campaign ...

Correlations 3

CORRELATIONS

/VARIABLES=eradicationInclinedradioFMcampAttitude

/PRINT=TWOTAIL NOSIG

/MISSING=PAIRWISE.

Eradication
Inclined

Radio     FM camp Attitude

Eradication              Pearson
Inclined                    Correlation

1

.784^**

| Sig. (2-tailed) | | .000
| N | 365 | 365

Radio   FM   camp Pearson
Attitude                    Correlation

.784^**

1

| Sig. (2-tailed) | .000 |
| N | 365 | 365
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

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