International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Nuclear medicine has proven to be a transformative tool in global healthcare; its awareness and adoption in Nigeria remain limited due to several factors, including insufficient public knowledge, misconceptions about radiation, inadequate infrastructure, and low accessibility to nuclear medicine facilities.
Objective: The study investigated the use of public relations as an effective tool for raising awareness of nuclear medicine in Nigeria.
Method: The study adopted a descriptive survey search design with a total population of 401. The population consisted of all patients in the Radioactive Unit at the University of Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospitals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Given that the population was 401, the sample size was 401. There was no need for sampling because a census was adopted in the study. The study employed a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. It used the weighted mean score on a 4-point Likert scale as the method of data analysis. The study used the Weighted Mean Score as the method of data presentation.
Result: The results revealed that press releases, press conferences and social media platforms were the major tools used public relation professional used in publicity for nuclear medicine; budget constraints, poor management of negative reports of PR and lack of compliance with modern technologies were the major challenges the public relations tools faced in creating awareness on nuclear medicine, the study also found press releases, press conferences and social media platforms as the major tools used by public relations as publicity for nuclear medicine. The study recommends that nuclear medicine in Nigeria employ the services of a public relations officer or firm to help them create awareness, build reputation, promote their image and manage information as well as crisis.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there is effectiveness in the awareness creation of nuclear medicine since such awareness helps to prevent harmful radiation or environmental risks, leading to low fear and resistance toward its use in healthcare. Unique Contributions: The study highlights the importance of leveraging public relations tools such as media campaigns, community outreach, social media engagement, and stakeholder advocacy to create a favourable awareness of nuclear medicine and how awareness and its acceptance prevent harmful radiation or environmental risks, leading to low fear and resistance toward its use in healthcare. Key recommendations: The study also recommends that public relations professionals should engage in media relations to create awareness of nuclear medicine in Nigeria