Keywords
Digital Literacy
Healthcare Access
Health Communication
Media Coverage
Rural Communities
Yobe State
Abstract
Access to healthcare in rural communities remains one of the most persistent public health problems in northern Nigeria. Yobe State, characterised by dispersed rural settlements, high poverty rates, and limited health infrastructure, exemplifies the challenges that many underserved populations face. Artificial intelligence (AI) has gradually entered media and health communication spaces, raising questions about whether it can meaningfully change how people in such settings learn about and access healthcare facilities. This study examined the role of AI in media coverage of healthcare access among rural communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting residents in five selected local government areas. A sample of 218 respondents was selected through multi-stage sampling. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection, and findings were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results showed that while 63.3% of respondents believed AI could improve healthcare access, actual use of AI-powered health tools remained low (13.3% for chatbots). Community health workers and the radio were the dominant channels of health information. Poor internet connectivity (69.7%), low digital literacy (64.7%), and erratic electricity supply (54.6%) were rated as major barriers to AI adoption. The study concludes that AI holds potential for transforming health communication in rural Yobe, but structural and infrastructural deficits constrain that potential. Targeted digital literacy programmes and policy investment in rural connectivity are recommended.
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