International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Cervical cancer is a global issue of public health concern. Nigeria, especially the city of Port Harcourt, has a high burden of cervical cancer, with adolescent girls being particularly vulnerable. Social media has become a popular platform for disseminating health information to young girls. Effectiveness of social media in creating knowledge of cervical cancer preventive measures among adolescent girls in Port Harcourt has not been widely studied.
Objective: This study investigated the use of social media in educating adolescent girls in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on cervical cancer preventive measures.
Method: This study employed the quantitative research design. Structured questionnaire were used to elicit responses from 341 adolescent girls from three communities within in Port Harcourt (Rumuagholu, Rumuokoro and Eliozu). Multi-stage sampling techique was adopted. Generated data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using frequency tables.
Result: There was high level of social media use among adolescent girls in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for social, education and entertainment purposes, but this could not translate into significant knowledge of cervical cancer preventive measures among them.
Conclusion: Social media have not significantly influenced adolescent girls’ knowledge of cervical cancer preventive measures in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Unique contribution: The study offers a fresh perspective on media effect that would guide policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and health communication researchers in planning future health campaign programmes targeted at young adolescent girls in Port Harcourt and other areas that share similar demography and cultural affinity.
Key recommendation: There is need for adoption of a multi-media approach in the quest to educate young adolescent girls of cervical cancer preventive measures in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.