Imperatives of the Socio- Ecological Communication Model Towards Combating Cervical Cancer Among Rural Women in Nigeria: A Prescriptive Approach

Abstract

This study explores the critical role of the socio-ecological communication model in addressing the rising incidence of cervical cancer among rural women in Nigeria. Utilizing secondary data sourced from academic journals, government reports, and empirical studies conducted across various contexts, it evaluates the inherent limitations of current communication strategies, which predominantly focus on curative measures such as human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical screening programmes. Findings reveal that these interventions frequently neglect the broader environmental and societal contexts—namely, the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem—that are essential for sustaining meaningful behavioural change among individuals and communities. The findings of the study reveal that an overemphasis on pharmaceutical solutions overlooks vital non-pharmaceutical protocols, including efforts to tackle pervasive social issues like child marriage, alcohol consumption, smoking, illiteracy, and poverty, all of which contribute significantly to the disease’s prevalence. It concludes that stakeholders must adopt a holistic socio-ecological approach, seamlessly integrating preventive measures with curative efforts to effectively combat cervical cancer in rural Nigeria. Recommendations include
strengthening legislative frameworks, enhancing girl-child education initiatives, engaging community and religious leaders in health advocacy, and deploying culturally sensitive media campaigns through local languages and traditional platforms to foster sustainable health outcomes among vulnerable populations.