Perceptions of editorial staff and coverage of reproductive health related newspaper articles and adolescents3 expectations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 1. To describe coverage of selected Sinhalese newspaper articles on reproductive health (RH) and to explore the attitudes of editorial staff related to RH publications. 2. To explore the mpressions and expectations of adolescent school children about reproductive health (RH) information published in Sinhalese newspapers METHODS: Most popular three national and three tabloid newspapers were identified through focus group discussions with adolescent school children in the Gampaha district. The newspapers published during the preceding six months (May to October 2007) to the survey were selected and data extraction was done by two medical officers. In-depth interviews were conducted with ditorial staff (n=ll) of the selected newspapers to explore their attitudes regarding the RH related publications and their constraints. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted among advanced level students (n=134) in five schools in the Gampaha district selected by stratified purposive sampling based on subject stream, sex and location (urban/rural). RESULTS: 268 articles were published on RH in national and tabloid papers during the reference period. Pregnancy related issues (n= 67, 25%) were the most commonly discussed topic in both types of newspapers. Other articles were mainly on sexually transmitted diseases (n=38, 14.2%), commercial sex (n=35, 13.1%), and abortion (n= 26, 9.7%). Most of the published articles included photographs. Half (n= 138) of the articles were written with the guidance of qualified medical doctors. Although the spectrum of RH issues was known, the journalists tend to write on topics such as sexually transmitted diseases but not on homosexuality, virginity and family planning. This narrow coverage was due to limited space, cultural restrictions in the selection of topics and inadequate guidance from medical personnel. The majority of the students were not satisfied about the adequacy of various aspects covered and presentation of RH related information by newspapers. CONCLUSION: RH related newspaper information was limited to selected topics. Although journalists knew the spectrum of RH related topics, publications were limited to selected topics. The topics covered on RH by newspapers were not presented in an adolescent friendly manner and were not on areas that they have a quest for.