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This study focused on issues relating to communication patterns and parent-child relationships among households resident in University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) senior staff quarters. Specifically, the study determined ways family communication patterns influence parent/adolescent-child relationship among residents of UNN senior staff quarters (SSQs), digital communication channels used by families to enhance parent/adolescent-child relationship among residents of UNN SSQs, challenges that militate against parent/adolescent-child relationship and communication among residents of UNN SSQs and solutions to challenges militating against parent/adolescent-child relationship and communication among residents of UNN SSQs. The study adopted a survey design. Population for study comprised of residents of senior staff quarters in University of Nigeria Nsukka. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings include 11 possible ways communication patterns (open, close, aggressive and passive) influence parent/adolescent-child relationship. For instance, open communication pattern can engender “trust” (X̄ = 2.97), “enjoyment” (X̄ = 3.37), instruction/teaching/learning (X̄ = 2.92), and so on. Other findings include seven groups of digital channels used in parent/adolescent-child communication. These include mobile application (APPs) (X̄ = 3.31), video calls (X̄ = 3.12), social media (X̄ = 3.03), online learning (X̄ = 2.72), and others. Further findings are eight challenges militating against parent/adolescent-child relationship and communication, such as, busy schedules of parents (X̄ = 3.22), differences in communication styles among family members (X̄ = 3.11). More findings are seven measures for ameliorating the challenges, including, establishing regular family communication time (X̄ = 3.03), respect for other opinions (X̄ = 3.11), use open communication patterns and be honest (X̄ = 2.92). and others. Based on the findings four recommendations were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As Malaria continues to take a heavy toll on the life and economy of Nigerians, The National Malaria Elimination Programme uses behaviour change communication (BCC) to promote the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN) and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) to combat malaria. This study examined the impact of BCC on the use of LLIN and ACT in Southeast Nigeria. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 480 respondents in urban and rural communities across five states. Analysis of data was done using percentages, chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: Findings showed weak effect of BCC on LLIN and ACT use despite achieving high (93.75%) exposure. Only 45.1% and 45.7% of the respondents used LLIN and ACT respectively. Urban residents were found to sleep under LLINs and use ACTs more than rural dwellers. Regression results showed that newspapers (OR=1.341) and the Internet (OR=3.216) increased the odds of LLIN use in the rural areas and magazines (OR=1.837) in the urban areas. Television (OR=2.375; P=0.002) and the Internet (OR=6.063; P=0.001) increased the odds of ACT use in the urban areas. Education was found to be a positive predictor of LLIN use in the rural (OR=4.645; P=0.011) and urban areas (OR=6.102) as well as ACT use in the rural (OR=7.268; p=0.002) and urban areas (0R=6.145; P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Access to behaviour change communication though very high has not achieved the desired behaviour change. The National Malaria Elimination Programme should produce appropriate messages to address barriers to LLIN and ACT use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]