Analysis of Newspapers Coverage of Child Health Issues in Nigeria: A case of The Guardian, Vanguard, and Daily Sun

Abstract

Child morbidity and mortality have continued to be a global health issue especially in Nigeria. Media coverage is vital in providing information on child health. This is more so because information provided through the media is of paramount importance to caregivers and to the public as it increases awareness about health practices which promote healthy living for these children. This study examines the coverage of child health issues in selected Nigeria newspapers. The major focus is on frequency, prominence, source and nature of news report on child health issues in selected Nigeria newspapers. The study is a content analysis of three purposively selected nationally circulated newspapers –The Guardian, Vanguard, and Daily Sun. The findings revealed that the selected newspapers did not give sufficient coverage to child health issues within the period of study. Findings also disclosed lack of prominence given to child health issues as most of the stories were placed in the inside pages of the sampled newspapers. Consequently, it was discovered from the study that other issues such as autism, congenital brain diseases, sickle cell, disabilities, cleft lip issues, cancer, kidney, liver diseases, child obesity and measles were most dominant issues published in newspapers. Also the result revealed that the selected newspapers relied more on events or occurrences on that took place within the country for news reports on child health issues. Since the media particularly newspapers are the key channels of information dissemination, they should give more prominence and employ in-depth analysis in covering issues on child health for better understanding of the issues at stake and not only through straight news.