The corona chronicles: Framing analysis of online news headlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, USA and South Africa

Background: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, now in its second year, has resulted in a large corpus of literature in a number of disciplines, particularly virology and epidemiology. In contrast, scholarly inquiry in other areas of the health sciences, particularly in media representations and public health communication, is still emerging. Aim: As an integral stakeholder in communication during a pandemic, this descriptive study sought to delineate the media frames of the COVID-19 pandemic in online news headlines in the first month that the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Setting: Online news headlines in three global hotspots, namely Italy, the USA and South Africa, during the month of March 2020, were analysed. Methods: Thematic content analysis and epidemic framing typology. Results: The findings indicate that COVID-19 has been internationally portrayed as a lethal pandemic that destroys and disrupts human life. Discursive frames of consequences monopolised its coverage, whilst discursive frames of reassurance were rare, despite the high survival rate. One of the unique findings of this study is that the COVID-19 pandemic coverage included the naming of positive patients, who were thereby made known to the public. Conclusion: Internationally, COVID-19 pandemic coverage used consequence frames that dramatized loss of life instead of deploying frames of reassurance that foreground the high survival rate of this disease. Contribution: Results of the study may help inform public health communication of the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering a detailed description of the frames that journalists use in news headlines, all of which possibly influence public perception of the pandemic. Theoretically, the article has also contributed to the application of epidemic framing typology and has contributed to knowledge in the field of public health communication and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of communication on the awareness of birth defects among adult women in Nigeria

Objectives: Birth defects are universal problems associated with poor management outcomes in children,especially in developing countries where its burden is enormous. Media advocacy is believed to help in reducing these poor outcomes. This study assessed the level of awareness of birth defects in women and the impact of the media in Nigeria. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 778 women, conducted in the outpatient clinics of two major referral hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria, from March to October 2019.Results: Of the 778 women, 768 were administered a structured questionnaire and 10 women whose children have been managed for a congenital anomaly before were interviewed using an in-depth interview guide. Of the 768 respondents, 600 (78.1%) were in the third and fourth decades of life and 577 (75.1%) women have heard about birth defects before. A total of 348 (60.3%) and 134 (23.2%) women heard about it from the hospital and mass media, respectively, with 65.0% of them believing that the media were helping in educating people about birth defects. There was a statistically significant relationship between the awareness levels and the respondents' occupation (χ2 = 28.914, P < 0.001), educational status (χ2 =43.325, P < 0.001), religion (χ2 = 10.376, P = 0.016), antenatal clinic attendance (χ2 = 5.035, P = 0.025), and history of previous mid-trimester abortion (χ2 = 7.689,P = 0.006).Conclusion: The level of awareness about birth defects is good but not enough; there is a need for greater media involvement in disseminating information on the occurrence of birth defects.

Impact of communication on the awareness of birth defects among adult women in Nigeria

OBJECTIVES: Birth defects are universal problems associated with poor management outcomes in children, especially in developing countries where its burden is enormous. Media advocacy is believed to help in reducing these poor outcomes. This study assessed the level of awareness of birth defects in women and the impact of the media in Nigeria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 778 women, conducted in the outpatient clinics of two major referral hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria, from March to October 2019. RESULTS: Of the 778 women, 768 were administered a structured questionnaire and 10 women whose children have been managed for a congenital anomaly before were interviewed using an in-depth interview guide. Of the 768 respondents, 600 (78.1%) were in the third and fourth decades of life and 577 (75.1%) women have heard about birth defects before. A total of 348 (60.3%) and 134 (23.2%) women heard about it from the hospital and mass media, respectively, with 65.0% of them believing that the media were helping in educating people about birth defects. There was a statistically significant relationship between the awareness levels and the respondents' occupation (χ2 = 28.914, P < 0.001), educational status (χ2=43.325, P < 0.001), religion (χ2 = 10.376, P = 0.016), antenatal clinic attendance (χ2 = 5.035, P = 0.025), and history of previous mid-trimester abortion (χ2 = 7.689, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The level of awareness about birth defects is good but not enough; there is a need for greater media involvement in disseminating information on the occurrence of birth defects.

Undergraduate Nurses Reflections on Whatsapp use in Improving Primary Health Care Education

Background: The global use of mobile devices with their connectivity capacity; and integrated with the affordances of social media networks; provides a resource-rich platform for innovative student-directed learning experiences.Objective: The objective of this study was to review the experiences of undergraduate nurses on the improvement of primary health care education at a School of Nursing at a University in the Western Cape; South Africa; through the incorporation of a social media application; WhatsApp.Method: A qualitative; exploratory; descriptive; and contextual design was used to explore and describe data collected from a purposive sample of 21 undergraduate nursing students. The study population was engaged in a WhatsApp discussion group to enhance their integration of theory and clinical practice of the health assessment competency of the Primary Health Care Module. Participants submitted electronic reflections on their experiences in the WhatsApp discussion group via email on completion of the study. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data collected was done according to Tesch's (1990) steps of descriptive data analysis in order to identify the major themes in the study. The electronic reflections were analysed to explore their rich; reflective data.Results: Seven themes were identified that included: positive experiences using the WhatsApp group; the usefulness of WhatsApp for integrating theory and clinical practice; the availability of resources for test preparation; opportunity for clarification; anonymity; exclusion of students as a result of the lack of an appropriate device; and the application caused the battery of the device to run flat quickly.Conclusion: The results of the experiences of students in the WhatsApp discussion group could be used to inform the use of social media applications in teaching and learning; with the purpose of enhancing the integration of the theory and clinical practice

Exploration of the Affordances of Mobile Devices in Integrating Theory and Clinical Practice in an Undergraduate Nursing Programme

Background: Promoting the quality and effectiveness of nursing education is an important factor; given the increased demand for nursing professionals. It is important to establish learning environments that provide personalised guidance and feedback to students about their practical skills and application of their theoretical knowledge. Objective: To explore and describe the knowledge and points of view of students and educators about introduction of new technologies into an undergraduate nursing programme. Method: The qualitative design used Tesch's (1990) steps of descriptive data analysis to complete thematic analysis of the data collected in focus group discussions (FGDs) andindividual interviews to identify themes.Results: Themes identified from the students' FGDs and individual interviews included:mobile devices as a communication tool; email; WhatsApp and Facebook as methods of communication; WhatsApp as a method of communication; nurses as role-models in the clinical setting; setting personal boundaries; and impact of mobile devices in clinical practice on professionalism. Themes identified from the FGD; individual interviews and a discussion session held with educators included: peer learning via mobile devices; email; WhatsApp and Facebook as methods of communication; the mobile device as a positive learning method; students need practical guidance; and ethical concerns in clinical facilities about Internet access and use of mobile devices.Conclusion: The research project established an understanding of the knowledge and points of view of students and educators regarding introduction of new technologies into an undergraduate nursing programme with the aim of enhancing integration of theory and clinical practice through use of mobile devices

Un traducteur dans une consultation: ce qu'il faut savoir

La consultation medicale est une rencontre entre deux experts: le medecin et le malade. La confidentialite etant parmi les exigences reconnues a une bonne consultation medicale; il est ideal qu'il n'y ait pas de tierce personne lorsque le malade consulte son medecin. Cependant; il est frequent que le medecin fasse recours a une personne interposee pour bien saisir les preoccupations de son patient. La presence d'un traducteur modifie le cours de la consultation et on se demande si dans ces conditions; le malade arrive a s'exprimer et a etre correctement compris par son medecin. Ailleurs dans le monde; le contexte semble etre plus precis avec la formation des personnes capables de dire le discours du malade pour sa meilleure comprehension par son medecin. Dans nos conditions; il y a lieu qu'un medecin qui recourt a un traducteur fasse mieux et reste dans les limites acceptables d'une consultation medicale en se servant des quelques regles commentes dans cet article

Media and mental health in Uganda

Objective: The media is largely regarded as an important stakeholder in health service delivery; with a great influence on public attitudes. However; little is known about its interest in mental health and the guiding factors that influence media coverage of mental health issues. This article describes the importance accorded to mental health by the media and the factors that influence media coverage of mental health issues in Uganda. Method: Semi-structured interviews were held with representatives from six prominent media houses as part of the situational analysis of the mental health system in Uganda. Data was analyzed using Nvivo 7 qualitative data analysis software. Results: The media was found to be interested and actively involved in health initiatives; but with little attention devoted to mental health. Coverage and interest in mental health was noted to be mainly dependent on the individual journalists' interests; and mostly for personal reasons. Low interest was largely attributed to mental health being perceived as a non-priority area; and the fact that mental illness is not a major contributor to mortality. Media coverage and reporting is guided by prioritization of the Health Department. Conclusion: The media in Uganda is an important stakeholder in the health care system with a key role of advocacy; publicity and mass education. Media houses however are less interested in mental health as evidenced by low coverage of mental health issues. This calls for advocacy and sensitization as a way of persuading media for more involvement in mental health initiatives

Potential impact of the mass media on family planning in an urban community in South Western Nigeria

Context: The role of radio and television message is an important factor in creating and changing the values; ideas and attitudes of people in Public Health. Fertility regulation in Nigeria is still yet to meet the optimum level. Objectives: The research therefore is designed to assess the role of mass media; radio and television in family planning messages. Study Design; Setting and Subjects: The study involved 503 females and males of child bearing age at Ife Central District; South Western of Nigeria. Information on respondents socio-economic characteristics family planning practices; their knowledge and attitude; source of information and use of family planning methods including habits and media preference of the respondent were also collected. Results: Radio was found to be the most common source of information. Fifty-three percent reported that they got family planning messages through the radio as against 10.1 through the television in spite of the fact that 68.5 of the respondents had television and 89.1 had radio. Seventy-two percent of the respondents had never visited family planning clinic. The most favourite programme on T.V. was drama while that of the radio was the news. Conclusion: The need to intensify and integrate family planning message into television drama and radio news was identified as this could play a significant role in family planning

Response to anti cholera messages: A survey of highway stopover communities

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the highway markets of Idudi; Mbizzinya; Lukaya and Namawojjolo to assess the exposure of these communities to health education messages on cholera and their response to these messages. A cholera epuidemic broke out in most parts of the country in 1997 and by December 1999; there was a cumulative total of 54;230 cases with 2;267 deaths (National Cholera Task Force). In 1999 alone there were 5;067 cases with 228 deaths giving a case fatality rate of 4.49. The Ministry of Health with support from various donors responded by treating cases at the areas where the patients were and also strengthening preventive measures across the country by carrying out educational sessions using the radio stations; newspaper inserts; posters and film vans. The messages from the Ministry of Health included among others those warning people not to eat cold food and food sold from the streets to prevent infection; and washing hands before eating. The messages also implored community leaders to ban the sale of foods on the streets. However; there are popular stopovers on the highways out of the city which responded by only reducing the selling of their foodstuffs at the height of the epidemic but resumed their brisk business soon after. It was not known how much prevention was being done by the sellers of these food stuffs and what precautions the people who ate this food took to prevent infection. It was therefore important to assess the impact of the anti-cholera messages on the sellers and their customers since the disease was still being reported in some parts of the country