Analysis of 2017 risk communication on Human Monkey Pox outbreak in Nigeria’s News Media

Abstract

This study quantitatively analyzes the risk communication contents of the human Monkey pox epidemic in 2017 as reported in selected Nigeria’s national newspapers (The Guardian, Punch, This day and Vanguard). Framing theory and Issue-attention cycle model formed the theoretical foundation of the study. Data for this study was obtained through the census method. Thus, all the daily editions of the selected newspapers within the study period were searched and reports on the monkey pox epidemic found were contentanalyzed. Findings indicate that monkey pox reports were placed in less prominent positions as straight news within the selected tabloids. Tension and controversy were key reportorial approaches to monkey pox happenstances nationwide. Reports on precautionary measures against the spread of the monkey pox virus were few. However, delayed and lethargic reports of the monkey pox epidemic were found in all the selected tabloids. This study contributes to empirical evidence on the delay in communicating health risk and the unsatisfactory reportage of infectious diseases outbreaks in Nigeria, contrary to global concerns of promoting good health and wellbeing for all. Therefore, as zoonotic diseases such as monkey pox continue to re-emerge all-around the globe, the study recommends that the news media should prioritize infectious diseases prevention as part of their risk communication advocacy to reduce vector interactions with human and nonstop daily updates during public health emergencies through the news media to increase trust in public health officials and the response efficiency.

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