Print media response to SARS in New Zealand.To examine the media response to severe acute respiratory syndrome Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Definition Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is the first emergent and highly transmissible viral disease to appear during the twenty-first century. , we reviewed New Zealand's major newspaper (261 articles for 3 months). While important accurate health messages were frequently included, some were missed (e.g., hand washing  This article or section contains .The purpose of Wikipedia is to present facts, not to teach subject matter. in only 2% of articles). No incorrect information was identified, and health spokespersons were accurately quoted. ********** Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new viral disease in humans that emerged in southern China in November 2002 (1). The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert about SARS on March 12, 2003, and an unprecedented public health response was subsequently mounted. An important part of that response was probably the intense global media coverage given to this disease. To derive lessons for addressing future threats to public health, we examined the media response in New Zealand's major daily newspaper. The Study We searched the Internet-based electronic archive of the New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. Herald for a 3-month period beginning with WHO's first global alert (March 13 June 11, 2003). We chose this paper because it has the largest circulation of a daily paper in the country (i.e., 530,000 readers out of a national population of 4 million), and its reporting is likely to represent that of other mainstream media. The advanced search capacity at the newspaper's Web site (2) was used with the key search term being "SARS" (combined with the other terms detailed in Tables 1 and 2; [3-5]). The search was confined con·fine v. con·fined, con·fin·ing, con·fines v.tr. 1. To keep within bounds; restrict: Please confine your remarks to the issues at hand. See Synonyms at limit. to the news section of the archive because stories on SARS in the business and sports sections Noun 1. sports section - the section of a newspaper that reports on sports sports page - any page in the sports section of a newspaper newspaper, paper - a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements; "he read rarely provided information on health aspects. We compared information in the articles on SARS with that in the Medline-indexed literature (to July 2003). Information attributable to health officials in New Zealand was compared to the information on the Ministry of Health's Web site and its media releases (n = 19) (6). For comparison purposes, we obtained from WHO the weekly numbers of new cases of SARS from four areas that had ongoing SARS transmission in the Western Pacific Region; China was excluded because of its irregular pattern irregular pattern, n in physical therapy, a classification given to describe symptoms that neither fit into the regular stretch pattern nor regular compression pattern categorizations. of reporting. SARS dominated the health-related news in this newspaper during the study period, with 261 news articles (i.e., 3.3 articles per issue). The rate of articles mentioning SARS (87 per month) was greater than that for smoking and tobacco (59 per month), cancer (43 articles), diabetes (12 articles), heart disease (10 articles), and asthma (6 articles). The number of articles mentioning SARS rose and fell, more or less in line with disease activity (Figure). Of the 261 articles, 48% had a headline with the word SARS. [FIGURE OMITTED] In the 261 articles, no technically incorrect information about the clinical or epidemiologic features of SARS appeared in print. Also, the views or comments attributed to Ministry of Health spokespersons were consistent with messages promoted by the ministry in its media releases and on its SARS Web site (31 articles). The impression conveyed was that the spokespersons were credible, and their reported statements imparted information and reassurance, and sometimes put the risk for SARS into a broader risk perspective. Some statements by officials promoted the theme of civic responsibility by stating that persons who ignored official travel advisories were placing others at risk. The symptoms of cough or lever were mentioned in 26% of articles, and the terms "pneumonia" or "flu" were also commonly used (39%) (Table 1). The word "flu" was used in the articles for more frequently than "influenza influenza or flu, acute, highly contagious disease caused by a virus; formerly known as the grippe. There are three types of the virus, designated A, B, and C, but only types A and B cause more serious contagious infections. ." More detailed information on symptoms was rare; 3% of articles mentioned the specific temperature of 38[degrees]C (the figure used in official information). All the countries with in-country transmission of SARS were mentioned, with particular emphasis on China (65% of articles). Travel advice from official agencies was from WHO (12% of articles), the Ministry of Health (8%), and other government agencies (4%). However, few articles included the specific ministry advice that recent travelers from SARS-affected countries avoid nonessential non·es·sen·tial adj. Being a substance required for normal functioning but not needed in the diet because the body can synthesize it. medical visits but seek medical attention if relevant symptoms developed (Table 2). Articles frequently described public health responses involving quarantine quarantine (kwŏr`əntēn), isolation of persons, animals, places, and effects that carry or are suspected of harboring communicable disease. or isolation (Table 2). Masks were frequently mentioned (or shown in photographs), and information on disease transmission was sometimes provided. This information appeared to be accurate, although occasionally unconfirmed means of transmitting SARS (e.g., airborne spread, as opposed to spread by droplets from coughing, and spread through cockroaches cockroaches insects which may carry Salmonella spp. in their gut and play a part in the spread of the disease. and rodent rodent, member of the mammalian order Rodentia, characterized by front teeth adapted for gnawing and cheek teeth adapted for chewing. The Rodentia is by far the largest mammalian order; nearly half of all mammal species are rodents. feces feces or excrement or stools Solid bodily waste discharged from the colon through the anus during defecation. Normal feces are 75% water. The rest is about 30% dead bacteria, 30% indigestible food matter, 10–20% cholesterol and other fats, ) were mentioned. Eight articles (3%) provided a Web site address for SARS information. The Ministry's SARS Web site and three relevant 0800 telephone helplines were infrequently mentioned (n = 4 [2%] and n = 8 [3%], respectively). In retrospect, some comments reported were overly pessimistic pes·si·mism n. 1. A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view: "We have seen too much defeatism, too much pessimism, too much of a negative approach" . For example, an economist was reported as saying that the disease "was on its way to New Zealand, and once here it was unlikely to go away quickly." International health officials were also quoted as saying that SARS "is probably here to stay" and "is now probably entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. in the population [in China]." Particular terms were used that could be considered alarming (e.g., "outbreak" in 38% of articles, "deadly" in 32%). Similarly, at least one of the following terms was used in 15% of headlines: kill, killer, deadly, panic, and death (n = 38). Some examples of headline phrasing included the following: "doctor dies of killer virus"; "nature's terrorism strangles strangles an acute disease of horses caused by infection with Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, and characterized by fever, purulent rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, abscessation of the draining lymph nodes and cough. Hong Kong Hong Kong (hŏng kŏng), Mandarin Xianggang, special administrative region of China, formerly a British crown colony (2005 est. pop. 6,899,000), land area 422 sq mi (1,092 sq km), adjacent to Guangdong prov. "; "SARS deaths leap"; "panicking crowds flee"; "creeping panic over epidemic"; and "SARS virus ... mutating rapidly." Discussion This analysis is limited by its locus on only one New Zealand newspaper (albeit the one with the largest daily circulation). It also lacks the broader context that could have been obtained from interviews with key personnel. Nevertheless, it provides some insight into the media response to an emerging public health threat. SARS clearly dominated the health news during this study period, although total coverage was possibly limited by competition from another major event, the war in Iraq. This media interest might be due to a number of newsworthy news·wor·thy adj. news·wor·thi·er, news·wor·thi·est Of sufficient interest or importance to the public to warrant reporting in the media. news features concerning SARS, namely, its new disease status, exotic aspects (e.g., possibly arising from wild animals WILD ANIMALS. Animals in a state of nature; animals ferae naturae. Vide Animals; Ferae naturae. ), relative infectiousness, uncertain transmission modes, high case-fatality rate, and limited treatment options. Information on disease symptoms was frequently provided but often with little accompanying detail. This finding highlights the importance of health authorities' keeping key messages short and using well-published Web sites for providing more detail. The media appear to be much more likely to use some words than others (e.g., "flu" versus "influenza" and "outbreak" versus "pandemic pandemic /pan·dem·ic/ (pan-dem´ik) 1. a widespread epidemic of a disease. 2. widely epidemic. pan·dem·ic adj. Epidemic over a wide geographic area. n. "). This finding suggests the need for health authorities to use simple language and to use it consistently. Although some prominence was given to describing disease control interventions (e.g., quarantine and isolation), relatively few articles provided information on basic personal preventive measures such as hand washing. Little coverage was given to how to access Web sites or telephone helplines, perhaps because newspapers only partly see themselves as a "public good information service" and may expect health authorities to pay to advertise such details. This finding suggests that if critical health messages are not picked up by the media in a crisis, then paid advertising could be a backup option (especially to list and explain access to key Web sites). Indeed, health budgets could ideally take into account such contingencies. Conclusions This analysis showed that official health spokespersons were accurately quoted and that no technically incorrect information on the clinical or epidemiologic features of SARS was published. Such a response is reassuring and highlights the potential value of the health sector's use of the media to inform the public. This newspaper sometimes used headlines and particular words (e.g., "deadly") that could be considered alarming. Nevertheless, some articles quoting health officials and others did provide reassuring information and messages. Media analyses could be extended in a number of ways to provide a broader and deeper understanding of the response to SARS. A range of newspapers could be studied, along with key interviews with health reporters and health sector spokespersons. Such work could be justified, given the importance of risk communication in dealing with the possible reemergence of SARS (7) and the importance of information for the public and the media on the control of this disease (8). These issues are also relevant in handling the threat of pandemic influenza (9) or diseases associated with bioweapons that could spread globally (10). In summary, this particular major daily newspaper provided generally useful and accurate information to the public on SARS. This finding highlights the potential value of the media for communication about public health issues and pandemic threats.
Table 1 . Information on the clinical features of SARS in
the New Zealand Herald (a)
No. (%) of
articles
Clinical feature (N = 261)
Symptoms detailed on the Ministry of
Health's SARS Web site
Cough or fever 67 (26)
Cough 55 (21)
Fever (b) 54 (21)
"Shortness of breath" 15 (6)
"Trouble breathing" or "difficulty breathing" 5 (2)
"Body aches" or "muscle pain" (myalgia (b)) 3 (1)
"Diarrhoea" "or "discomfort" 2 (1)
Additional symptoms of SARS from
the literature (3-5)
Chills (b) 12 (5)
Headache 5 (2)
Other (c) 3 (1)
Other words relating to clinical features
"Pneumonia" or "flu" 103 (39)
Pneumonia 67 (26)
Flu 53 (20)
Flu-like 38 (15)
Influenza 17 (7)
"High fever" 34 (13)
Temperature 23 (9)
Temperature of 38[degrees]C 9 (3)
"High temperature" 6 (2)
"Respiratory symptoms" 3 (1)
(a) SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome. Quotation marks
refer to actual phrases in newspaper articles.
(b) These were the symptoms considered to predict SARS most
strongly in the early stages of illness, according to Rainer
et al. (4).
(c) Other signs and symptoms included loss of appetite, malaise,
rigor, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, sputum, night sweat,
coryza, abdominal pain, neck pain, nausea, arthralgia ("joi nt
pain"), chest pain, rhinorrh ea ("runny nose").
Table 2. Information on SARS transmission and control measures
reported in the New Zealand Herald (a)
No. (%) of
articles
Information on SARS (N = 261)
SARS transmission
Transmission by "droplets" or "sneezing" or 16 (6)
"coughing"
"Close contact," "direct contact," or 16 (6)
"physical contact" with an infected person
as a risk factor for transmission
"Close contact" or "contacts," the definition 13 (5)
used for outbreak control purposes
Possible transmission through a 13 (5)
contaminated "surface" or "object" or lift
"button" or door "handle
"Person-to-person" transmission 7 (3)
Possible risk posed by bodily "secretions" 7 (3)
(or "faecal" contamination, "faeces," or
"stool")
Possibility of "airborne" transmission 5 (2)
"Casual contact" not being a risk factor for 2 (1)
transmission
No evidence for "airborne" transmission 2 (1)
(or unlikely)
Touching one's eyes", or "nose," or 1 (0.4)
"mouth" with potentially contaminated
hands as a risk factor
SARS control or personal protection
"Quarantine" 85 (33)
"Isolation" 62 (24)
"Mask" 60 (23)
"Hand washing" for prevention 4 (2)
Advice to seek medical attention if relevant 4 (2)
symptoms are present
Lack of health insurance cover age for 2 (1)
travellers to affected areas
Groups at increased risk of infection
and or death
Health workers (including nurses and 24 (9)
doctors)
"Elderly" (and other terms for older 7 (3)
persons)
Persons with diabetes or other chronic 3 (1)
conditions
(a) SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome. Quotation marks
refer to actual phrases used in newspaper articles.
We thank the New Zealand Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health (Manatū Hauora in Māori), formerly the Department of Health from 1903 to 1993, is a department of the New Zealand government. for supporting the initial phase of this work, which was undertaken when the first author was working on SARS control for the Ministry. The findings are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Ministry of Health. References (1.) Pearson H, Clarke T, Abbott A, Knight J, Cyranoski D. SARS: What have we learned? Nature. 2003;424:121-6. (2.) New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Herald article search (advanced). [accessed 2003 Dec 14]. Available from: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ storyquery.cfm (3.) Donnelly CA, Ghani AC, Leung GM, Hedley AJ, Fraser C, Riley S, et al. Epidemiological determinants of spread of causal agent Noun 1. causal agent - any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results causal agency, cause physical entity - an entity that has physical existence of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong. Lancet lancet /lan·cet/ (lan´set) a small, pointed, two-edged surgical knife. lan·cet n. . 2003;361:1761-6. (4.) Rainer TH, Cameron PA, Smit D, Ong KL, Hang AN, Nin DC, et al. Evaluation of WHO criteria for identifying patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome out of hospital: prospective observational study In statistics, the goal of an observational study is to draw inferences about the possible effect of a treatment on subjects, where the assignment of subjects into a treated group versus a control group is outside the control of the investigator. . BMJ BMJ n abbr (= British Medical Journal) → vom BMA herausgegebene Zeitschrift . 2003;326:1354-8. (5.) Booth CM, Matukas LM, Tomlinson GA, Rachlis AR, Rose DB, Dwosh HA, et al. Clinical features and short-term outcomes of 144 patients with SARS in the Greater Toronto area The Greater Toronto Area (widely abbreviated as the GTA) is the most populous metropolitan area in Canada. The GTA is a provincial planning area with a population of 5,555,912 at the 2006 Canadian Census. . JAMA JAMA abbr. Journal of the American Medical Association . 2003;289:2801-9. (6.) New Zealand Ministry of Health. SARS information archive. [Accessed 2003 July 3]. Available from: http://www.moh.govt. nz/moh.nsf/f872666357c511eb4c25666d000c8888/798fe182730a9 f37cc256d8000758927?OpenDocument (7.) Pirisi A. Getting ready for SARS. Lancet. 2003;362:1632-3. (8.) Lau JTF JTF Joint Task Force JTF Just the Facts JTF Jewish Task Force JTF Jitter Transfer Function JTF Joint Tactical Force JTF Joint Tactical Fusion JTF Janasaviya Trust Fund (Sri Lanka) JTF Joint Test Facility , Yang X, Tsui H, Kim JH. Monitoring community responses to the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong: from day 10 to day 62. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2003;57:864-70. (9.) Ministry of Health. Influenza pandemic
(10.) Wilson N. Lush D. Bioterrorism bi·o·ter·ror·ism n. The use of biological agents, such as pathogenic organisms or agricultural pests, for terrorist purposes. Bioterrorism in the Northern Hemisphere and potential impact on New Zealand. NZ Med J NZ MED J New Zealand Medical Journal . 2002;115:247-51. Dr. Wilson is a senior lecturer senior lecturer n. Chiefly British A university teacher, especially one ranking next below a reader. in the Department of Public Health, Wellington School Wellington School can refer to: Three schools in England:
n. A disease that is transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or indirectly through a vector. Also called contagious disease. control, and tobacco control. Address for correspondence: Nick A. Wilson, Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago University, PO Box 7343, Wellington South Wellington South was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1968. It was located in the province of Ontario. It was created by the British North America Act of 1867 as the "South Riding of the county of Wellington". , New Zealand; fax: 64-4-476-3646; email: nwilson@actrix.co.nz Nick Wilson, * George Thomson George Thomson may refer to:
* Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand; and ([dagger]) Public Health Consulting Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion