FLO FM'S "SAFE ENVIRONMENT" PROGRAMME AND LISTENERS' ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION BEHAVIOUR IN ABIA STATE

TOPIC: FLO FM'S  "SAFE ENVIRONMENT" PROGRAMME AND LISTENERS' ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION BEHAVIOUR IN ABIA STATE

THIS TOPIC IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR: 
1. Mass Communication Department

2. Environmental Health Science Department

3. Environmental Management Department

4. Public Health Department

This research material contains:

1-Chapter One to Five

2-Recent References/citations

3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four

4-Accurate Data Analysis

5-Table of Contents

6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine Flo FM's "Safe Environment" Programme and Listeners' Environmental Sanitation Behaviour in Abia State. The study was specifically carried out to determine the level of awareness of Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme among listeners in Abia State, ascertain the level of participation in Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme among listeners in Abia State, determine the nature of participation in Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme, determine the environmental sanitation issues addressed by Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme and ascertain the environmental sanitation behaviour of listeners in Abia State after exposure to Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 579,349 adult radio listeners residing within Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas of Abia State who had access to FLO 94.9 FM and listened to the "Safe Environment" programme. A sample size of 400 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, while 385 copies of the questionnaire were validated for analysis. Multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling techniques was adopted for the study. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, mean scores and standard deviation. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that listeners had a high level of awareness of Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme with a grand mean of 3.54. The study also revealed that respondents had a moderate level of participation in the programme with a grand mean of 3.40. Furthermore, the study showed that the programme effectively addressed relevant environmental sanitation issues with a grand mean of 3.60 and positively influenced listeners' environmental sanitation behaviour with a grand mean of 3.57. The hypotheses further revealed that there was a significant relationship between exposure to Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme and listeners' participation in environmental sanitation activities at r = 0.684, p = 0.001, and a significant relationship between participation in Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme and listeners' environmental sanitation behaviour at r = 0.731, p = 0.001. The study therefore recommends that Flo FM should sustain and strengthen the "Safe Environment" programme by expanding its environmental education content and increasing opportunities for listener participation through more interactive programme formats.

Keywords: Flo FM, Safe Environment Programme, Environmental Sanitation, Radio Programme, Listener Behaviour, Abia State.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
Environmental communication plays a key role in the worldwide campaign for sustainable human-environmental relationships. In every society, at various historical and present times, there are different structures for the communication of knowledge, values and expectations of behaviors for protecting the environment, for hygiene and public health. Mass media are important tools to promote awareness of ecological responsibility and to direct the understanding of the environment by the population. In their study, Mensah et al (2022) indicated that mass media systems play a significant role in determining the public consciousness on hygiene and environmental sustainability, especially in developing environment where environmental risks are high. Bishoge (2021) noted that awareness creation programmes conducted in the media help improve the awareness of the public on conservation practices and responsible use of resources. Umar et al (2025) noted the importance of making environmental messages more relatable and culturally relevant to local experiences. The study by Adeyemi & Ajayi (2024) further showed that the ongoing exposure to the environmental message via the accessible media channels helps to bring about a slow behavioural change. The findings highlight the importance of environmental communication as a key tool for influencing sanitation and sustainable living attitudes and practices.

Environmental sanitation is the organized efforts of keeping the environment clean and safe through proper waste management, hygienic practices and sustainable utilization of environmental resources. It plays a key role in influencing public health outcomes, particularly in urban and semi-urban settings where environmental pressures are great. Not only physical cleanliness, but also behaviour that minimises exposure to environmental risk and transmission of disease. Environmental sanitation is a totality of behavioural compliance and infrastructural support required to attain healthy living conditions as described by Nwaerema et al (2023). Okonkwo et al (2025) said that good sanitation practice practices have a significant impact on the spread and prevalence of communicable diseases and improve the health outcome of a community. Aboah (2024) observed that, sanitation behaviour is significantly influenced by ongoing environmental education and communication of health-related messages. Sustainable sanitation, as revealed by Ezeaka & Bartholomew (2025), requires individual responsibility and collective participation in creating clean environment and practicing good hygiene. These views identify environmental sanitation as a multi-faceted phenomenon comprising aspects related to behaviour, social context and infrastructure of the human-environment relationship.

Radio has been one of the most powerful mass communication media for reaching various target groups with environmental and health information. It is accessible, cheap, and can be used for both literate and illiterate population for public enlightenment campaigns. Radio also allows for repetition of messages, thus reinforcing audience understanding and retention of information on hygiene and environment-related practices. The frequency of radio programme and the fact that they are heard makes them effective in enhancing the public knowledge and adoption of positive sanitation behaviors as revealed by Ikogho & Onoharigho (2025). Fagbemi et al (2025) revealed that environmental radio campaigns enhance community involvement in cleanliness campaigns and foster sustainable living practices. According to Adeyemi & Ajayi (2024), multilingual broadcasting helps to make the messages understandable and culturally relevant, leading to greater engagement from the audience. Umar et al (2025) also pointed out that radio communication is effective in changing the behaviour when messages are delivered in local languages and in formats that are relatable to the environment. These results provide evidence for the use of radio as a useful tool for environmental education and behaviour change for various population groups.

FLO 94.9 FM Umuahia, Abia State is one of the leading private commercial radio stations in the Nigerian media landscape which plays a key role in creating awareness on the environment and communication on public health. The station's primary programming language is English, Pidgin, and Igbo, making it accessible and inclusive to all linguistic groups. Its reach is not limited to Umuahia but also covers Aba, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Enugu and environs to influence behaviour in relation to the environment and health. FLO FM is a community oriented platform for integration of education, entertainment and programming for public enlightenment. Okonkwo et al (2025) highlighted the importance of multilingual broadcasting for better comprehension and enhancing the impact of health communication in culturally diverse societies. Aboah (2024) observed that regular communication of the message in the environment with trusted media platforms improves behavioural orientations towards cleanliness and sustainability. Ezeaka & Bartholomew (2025) reported that the localized environmental programmes help to boost and strengthen the awareness of hygiene and community responsibility for environmental maintenance. These findings make FLO FM a very important means of reaching people, impacting their sanitation behaviours in Abia State and its neighbourhoods.

The “Safe Environment” programme on FLO 94.9 FM is aired by Codger (The Health Naturalist) that deals with environmental sanitation, food hygiene, natural medicine, healthy living and sustainable practices in the community. The programme is aired every Saturday from 7:45am to 8:00am, which offers a regular weekly opportunity for environmental education and for reinforcing behaviours. Being structured it enables it to communicate purposeful information to listeners that can be utilized in their everyday lives, especially in the areas of cleanliness, waste management and healthy life choices. Nwaerema et al (2023) noted that structured exposure to the environment through programming gives the audience a greater chance of retaining the information and engaging with the program. According to Mensah et al (2022) constant media exposure to the messages affect behavioural orientation towards sanitation and sustainable practice. Bishoge (2021) pointed out that communicating health with culturally appropriate messages enhances the impact of environmental education messages. Fagbemi et al (2025) also pointed out that radio programmes on sanitation and health-living promote active participation of the community in cleanliness campaigns. The Safe Environment programme is viewed as a strategic platform in this context that impacts the listeners environmental sanitation behaviour within and around Abia State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem 

Environmental communication remains as an important tool that is used to pass on environmental knowledge, awareness of sanitation and healthy life practices to populations in developing societies. Mass media platforms, especially radio broadcasting, have been identified to have the potential to convey messages on time and in a culturally appropriate way that enable behavioural orientation towards environmental sustainability. Adeyemi & Ajayi (2024) reported that by consistently reaching out to the public with environmental messages, the accessible communication channels have contributed to the improvement of the public's knowledge of hygiene and sanitation practices. Additionally, Mensah et al (2022) highlighted that the development and implementation of media-based EE had been enhancing community involvement in sustainable practices, and Bishoge (2021) noted how the media communication methods have enhanced environmental awareness among age groups. In Nigeria, radio stations have progressively introduced specific radio programmes to tackle environmental and health issues. In this regard, FLO 94.9 FM has become a platform for disseminating environmental information in Abia State in the name of its Safe Environment.

Media-based environmental sanitation health communication through radio programmes and community interventions have influenced sanitation practices in many communities in Nigeria depending on their levels of exposure. Okonkwo et al (2025) reported that while the messages have been disseminated to wide audiences, the conversion of these messages to consistent sanitation practices has been inconsistent among populations. Aboah (2024) noted that desirable outcomes of environmental communication should include continued hygiene behaviors, weekly garbage disposal and good food handling practices among the listeners. However, there were still some areas where awareness was not fully aligned with behavioural adoption, especially in semi-urban areas. Nwaerema et al (2023) pointed out that despite the fact that the messages were not received uniformly by recipients, and that the behaviour mentioned in the messages were not always pertinent to them; the messages had to be constantly reinforced and made relevant to induce a change in the behaviour of the target group. Ezeaka & Bartholomew (2025) also argued that there is a need for constant reinforcement, continuous reinforcement and contextual relevance of the messages to achieve a measurable change in behaviour. These circumstances indicate a need for community 'needs-driven' media intervention strategies.

Radio-Based Environmental Programmes including Safe Environment, an 820-900MW radio frequency programme on FLO 94.9 FM is used as a tool of communication to increase the awareness of environmental sanitation and healthy living practices to listeners of the programme within and around Umuahia of Abia State. Ikogho & Onoharigho (2025) pointed out that the radio health programmes had the potential to have an impact on behavioural change when listeners could regularly access it, while Fagbemi et al (2025) said that the environmental radio content had been able to engage communities in sanitation activities. These programmes should ideally lead to measurable hygiene behaviour, better food safety and more environmentally sustainable behaviours. There was however little empirical work done on listeners' interpretation and application of the messages of FLO FM's Safe Environment programme in their actual sanitation activities. According to Umar et al (2025), the behavioural outcome is challenging to measure without local studies, and Adeyemi & Ajayi (2024) say context of audience response varies.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study's main goal is to assess Flo FM's  "safe environment" programme and listeners' environmental sanitation behaviour in Abia State. The study specifically attempted to:

1. Determine the level of awareness of Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme among listeners in Abia State.

2. Ascertain the level of participation in Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme among listeners in Abia State.

3. Determine the nature of participation in Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme.

4. Determine the environmental sanitation issues addressed by Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme.

5. Ascertain the environmental sanitation behaviour of listeners in Abia State after exposure to Flo FM's "Safe Environment" programme.

Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Hypotheses

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter therefore focuses on the concept of radio broadcasting, concept of environmental sanitation, concept of radio environmental education programmes, overview of the "safe environment" programme of FLO 94.9 FM etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
Conceptual Framework

Theoretical Framework

Empirical Review

Summary of Literature

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises adult radio listeners residing in Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas of Abia State, particularly listeners of FLO 94.9 FM and its “Safe Environment” programme.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 400 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics, such as Pearson Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size

3.4 Sampling Technique

3.5 Instrument for Data Collection

3.6 Validity of the Instrument

3.7 Reliability of the Instrument

3.8 Method Of Data Collection

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

3.10 Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that the level of awareness of Flo FM’s “Safe Environment” programme among listeners in Abia State is high, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.54, with item means ranging from 3.41 to 3.73, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that listeners are well informed about the programme, including its focus, schedule and host.

ii. The study found that the level of participation in the programme among listeners in Abia State is moderate, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.40, with item means ranging from 2.86 to 3.60, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00, except participation through calls or messages (2.86). This was further confirmed by the hypothesis test, which showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.684, t-value of 18.34 and p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This implies that exposure to the programme is significantly related to participation in sanitation activities.

iii. The study found that the nature of participation in the programme is meaningful and relevant, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.59, with item means ranging from 3.42 to 3.73, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that the programme provides useful sanitation education and encourages community-oriented discussions.

iv. The study found that the programme adequately addresses environmental sanitation issues relevant to listeners, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.60, with item means ranging from 3.46 to 3.68, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that topics such as waste disposal, food hygiene and environmental health hazards are well covered.

v. The study found that the programme has positively influenced listeners’ environmental sanitation behaviour, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.57, with item means ranging from 3.35 to 3.69, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This was further confirmed by the hypothesis test, which showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.731, t-value of 20.98 and p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This implies that participation in the programme significantly improves sanitation behaviour.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Limitations of the Study

5.5 Recommendations

5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies 

Reference
Appendix

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