L Squiers1, M Lynch2, S Dolina3, S Ray4, B Kelly5, J Herrington6, M Turner7, D Chawla8, S Becker-Dreps9, L Stamm10, L McCormack11. 1. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: lsquiers@rti.org. 2. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: mlynch@rti.org. 3. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: sdolina@rti.org. 4. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: sray@rti.org. 5. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: bkelly@rti.org. 6. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: jimhsph@email.unc.edu. 7. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: malwolfe@email.unc.edu. 8. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: chawlad@live.unc.edu. 9. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, USA; University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, 321 S Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: sb@email.unc.edu. 10. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: lstamm@email.unc.edu. 11. RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: lmac@rti.org.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand what information the US media communicated about Zika virus (ZIKV) and travel in 2016 and 2017. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a content analysis of news coverage about ZIKV and travel from April 5, 2016 to March 31, 2017. METHODS: We obtained a stratified, random sample of English language, US print newspaper and television news coverage about ZIKV and travel. We developed a coding scheme to assess key messages in the news, including how ZIKV is transmitted, the symptoms and outcomes of ZIKV infection, and recommended prevention behaviors. RESULTS: Almost all news stories mentioned mosquito-borne transmission (96.8%) and just over half mentioned sexual transmission (55.3%). News stories were more likely to talk about ZIKV outcomes (78.8%) than ZIKV symptoms (40.6%). However, outcomes affecting babies were mentioned more frequently than outcomes affecting adults. Recommendations included a wide array of protective behaviors, such as delaying or avoiding travel (77.6%) and using mosquito repellent (41.0%). However, few studies (10.9%) mentioned barriers to practicing ZIKV prevention behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Public health organizations and professionals can use these findings to help improve communication about future outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses. We also recommend conducting real-time monitoring of news media and frequent content analysis of news stories to ensure coverage provides the information the public needs.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand what information the US media communicated about Zika virus (ZIKV) and travel in 2016 and 2017. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a content analysis of news coverage about ZIKV and travel from April 5, 2016 to March 31, 2017. METHODS: We obtained a stratified, random sample of English language, US print newspaper and television news coverage about ZIKV and travel. We developed a coding scheme to assess key messages in the news, including how ZIKV is transmitted, the symptoms and outcomes of ZIKV infection, and recommended prevention behaviors. RESULTS: Almost all news stories mentioned mosquito-borne transmission (96.8%) and just over half mentioned sexual transmission (55.3%). News stories were more likely to talk about ZIKV outcomes (78.8%) than ZIKV symptoms (40.6%). However, outcomes affecting babies were mentioned more frequently than outcomes affecting adults. Recommendations included a wide array of protective behaviors, such as delaying or avoiding travel (77.6%) and using mosquito repellent (41.0%). However, few studies (10.9%) mentioned barriers to practicing ZIKV prevention behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Public health organizations and professionals can use these findings to help improve communication about future outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses. We also recommend conducting real-time monitoring of news media and frequent content analysis of news stories to ensure coverage provides the information the public needs.
Authors: Elena Marbán-Castro; Ana Villén-Gonzalvo; Cristina Enguita-Fernàndez; Anna Marín-Cos; Clara Menéndez; Maria Maixenchs; Azucena Bardají Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-11 Impact factor: 3.390