Abstract

This study examined the influence of mass media on knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 pandemic among residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State. Four research questions and four hypotheses were answered and tested respectively in this study. Simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents in the study. The study adopted the survey research design. The sample size for the study was 700 randomly selected educated residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State. The main instrument used for collection of data from the respondents was a questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that: there is significant influence of television on the knowledge of COVID-19 among the residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State; radio has significant influence on the awareness of COVID-19 protocols among residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State; there is significance influence of newspaper on the compliance to COVID-19 guidelines among residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State, and there is significant influence of social media on the preventive measure practices of COVID-19 among residents of Yaba Community Area of Lagos State. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that residents should show positive attitudes towards compliance to preventive measures as the use of face masks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area, while government should continue with the use of mass media to create awareness.