PERCEPTION OF PHARMACISTS ON ADHERENCE TO VIRAL MESSAGE ON THE USE OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

One of the characteristics of communication is that it is irreversible. Once messages are sent, it cannot be taken back. In the age of constantly evolving sophisticated information technologies, information or messages go viral beyond ones intention and estimation. The mutating coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has become a global phenomenon with its attendants effects on global economic and sociopolitical life of most nations. The pandemic has pushed the health sector to the edge, making health situations more critical in the fight for survival.

Therefore, information dissemination is also critical in such situations as many factors come into play in audience selection and responses to messages they are constantly exposed to in order to help overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. This study takes a look into the perception of pharmacists on adherence to viral message on the use of Hydroxychloroquine during covid-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria. The objective was to evaluate how the audiences responded to theinformation within the context of bullet theory which states that media messages have direct effect on the audiences, who also respond and act on media messages same way. The survey method used includes both qualitative and quantitative research, studying both audience and pharmacists who sell the drug underbconsideration. The study revealed that most respondents were aware of the news on the use of Hydroxylchloroquine 200mg for covid-19 but did not buy it. Also, the few who bought were out of fear. The fear was later corroborated by the other survey to be responsible for the high rate of purchase of the drug during the heat of the pandemic amongst some Lagos residents.

Keywords:News, Message, Viral, Media, Pandemic.