A content analysis of online news media reporting on the human papillomavirus vaccination programme in South Africa

Authors

  • Sharon Attipoe-Dorcoo University of Texas
  • Vedantha Singh University of Cape Town
  • Jennifer Moodley University of Cape Town

Keywords:

cervical cancer, human papillomavirus, online news media, South Africa, vaccine, vaccination

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females in South Africa. In 2014 South Africa launched a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for grade 4 girls attending public schools. Approximately 49% of South Africans have access to the Internet and the content and quality of vaccination information could play a role in vaccine awareness and decision-making. This study examined the content, accuracy and tone of online news articles reporting on the HPV vaccination programme in South Africa. Methods: South Africa national online news sites, online community/regional newspapers and two global aggregated online news search engines (Google News and Yahoo News) were searched for relevant articles using a comprehensive set of keywords. Articles published between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were assessed for commonly cited sources of information, tone of the headline and article, accuracy of information about vaccine characteristics, South Africa HPV vaccine programmatic details and information on HPV and cervical cancer. Results: A total of 56 articles were included in the analysis. The majority had a neutral headline tone (n = 45) and positive overall article tone (n = 38). Information on the dose of HPV vaccine administered during the South African vaccination campaign was accurately mentioned in 38 articles. Twenty articles accurately mentioned the vaccine was efficacious and 12 accurately mentioned herd immunity; however, details on side effects were mostly not mentioned in articles (n = 8). Conclusions: The online media coverage of the South Africa HPV vaccination programme was generally positive with accurate but sometimes incomplete information. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojgo) South Afr J Gynaecol Oncol 2018; DOI: 10.1080/10.1080/20742835.2018.1509928

Author Biographies

  • Sharon Attipoe-Dorcoo, University of Texas
    Health Science Center School of Public Health University of Texas Houston, Texas United States of America; and Cancer Research Initiative University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
  • Vedantha Singh, University of Cape Town
    Cancer Research Initiative Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
  • Jennifer Moodley, University of Cape Town
    Cancer Research Initiative Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa; and Women’s Health Research Unit School of Public Health and Family Medicine University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa; and SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa

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Published

2018-11-20

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Research Articles

License

South African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (SAJGO) Copyright is held by South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Copyright of the articles is held by the authors. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License (CC BY NC). Material submitted for publication in the SAJGO is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The SAJGO does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do no purport to reflect the opinions or views of SASGO or its members.