Using Interactive Television Instruction (ITV) to Reduce the Propensity to Engage in Substance Abuse and Drug Trafficking among Vulnerable Adolescents in Nigeria
In this project, I aim to reduce the proclivity of vulnerable adolescents in Nigeria to engage in substance abuse and drug trafficking. In doing so, I aim to determine if interactive television instructions could be a useful tool for achieving this.
Which theories, methods and/or data will you use? I will apply the technological determinism theory to achieve this aim. I will collect primary data and use a quasi-experimental design to achieve the goal of the study.
Which concrete output are you aiming for: I am aiming at getting this result published in a peer-reviewed impact factor journal that is indexed in both Scopus and Web of Science.
- Multimedia
- Interactive technology
- Journalism
- Behaviour change communication and social media
Research Results
My result showed that digital content delivered in the format of interactive television can be useful in assisting vulnerable adolescents to gain control of themselves and become less susceptible to substance abuse and drug trafficking. However, the effectiveness of this effect gets reduced as time progresses. This is because a slight relapse was reported in the participants who received the intervention after six months of follow-up assessment. This suggests that efforts will need to be made to ensure that vulnerable adolescents have access to digital content aimed at building their resistance to substance abuse and drug trafficking at least two times a year. The results also imply that rather than presenting behaviour change information in conventional television styles, a digital approach through interactive television whereby the content is pre-recorded on DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be helpful, especially for vulnerable populations.
- My fellowship project has been published in a peer-revoewed journal and this is cited below: Gever, V. C. (2024). Using Interactive Television Instruction (ITV) to Reduce the Propensity to Engage in Substance Abuse and Drug Trafficking Among Vulnerable Adolescents in Nigeria. Evaluation Review, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X241273288
- My Fellowship presentation also attracted media coverage: “TV programme can reduce drug use among adolescents”, Punch newspaper publication of 19th December, 2023, https://punchng.com/tv-programme-can-reduce-drug-use-among-adolescents/
- I also received a grant for the sponsorship of a special issue of Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. The journal is indexed in Scopus, and the theme of the special issue was “Digital media and research in 21st-century society: Assessing the current trends and projecting the future.”
Curriculum Vitae
2018 – present: University of Nigeria
Publications and Presentations
- Ahmad, J., Ugwuoke C. J, Talabi, F. Okeibunor N. B., Aiyesimoju, A. Adefemi, V. & Gever V. C. (2022). Impact of social media-based intervention in reducing youths’ propensity to engage in drug abuse in Nigeria. Evaluation and Program Planning, 94,102122.
- Gever, V. C. Tunca, E., Boluwatife, B. Nwogbo, V. Chinweobo-Onuoha, B. Ugwuoke, J. & Talabi, F. (2021). Visual media and learning: Effect of interactive television instruction as an intervention strategy for improving the critical thinking skills and disposition of out-of-school nomadic children in Nigeria. Learning and Motivation, 76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101767
- Gever V. C, Talabi, F., Talabi, M. Adefemi, V., Bello, S. Oluyemi, A & Apuke, D. (2022): Learning through interaction: impact of interactive radio instructions in improving literacy skills of out-of-school children in IDP camps in Nigeria, Interactive Learning Environments, DOI: 10.1080/10494820.2022.2110124
- Gever, V.C. Iyendo,T.O Obiugo-Muoh, U. O. Okunade, J.K, Agujiobi-Odoh, N. Udengwu, N., Talabi, O.F & Nwokolo, P. (2022). Comparing the effect of social media-based drama, music and art therapies on reduction in post-traumatic symptoms among Nigerian refugees of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Journal of Pediatric Nursing, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2022.11.018
- Ugwulor-Onyinyechi, Tunca, E., Anibueze U., Anikpe, A. Odoh, G. Gever V. C & Obodo, E. (2021). Impact of Visual Multimedia as a Counselling Strategy for Reducing School Dropout Propensity among School Children Who Are Survivors of Abductions in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Asia and African Studies. 57 (7), 1295–1309 DOI: 10.1177/00219096211058891