The study examined the potency of social media in sensitizing rural dwellers in Port Harcourt  about cholera outbreaks. The study was motivated by the need to determine the extent to which social media broadcasts can provide timely, accessible, and understandable health information to rural populations, particularly in relation to cholera prevention, symptoms, treatment, and control. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised rural dwellers in Port Harcourt , while a sample of 100 respondents was selected for the study. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire structured into Sections A and B, with responses measured using a four-point Likert scale of Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Strongly Disagreed, and Disagreed. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by the researcher’s supervisor. Data collected were analysed using frequency tables and simple percentages, while the hypothesis was tested using statistical analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that social media broadcasts play an important role in reaching and engaging rural dwellers in Port Harcourt  with information about cholera outbreaks. The study further established that the accessibility of social media, use of local languages, interactive programme formats, appropriate timing and frequency of broadcasts, and the credibility of information sources contribute to the effectiveness of social media health communication. The hypothesis test showed that social media broadcasts were effective in reaching and engaging the target audience in Port Harcourt , leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concluded that social media remains an effective medium for cholera sensitization among rural dwellers in Port Harcourt . It recommended, among other measures, increased local-language content, more interactive health programmes, stronger community involvement, continuous training of broadcasters, and improved broadcasting infrastructure to enhance the effectiveness of social media-based health communication.

Keywords: Social Media, Cholera Sensitization, Rural Dwellers, Health Communication, Cholera Prevention, Public Health Awareness.