Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study assessed the effects of the February through September 2016 American news media’s coverage of Zika Virus (ZIKV) risk on the U.S. public’s familiarity, knowledge and behavior in the form of interpersonal discussions. A content analysis (N = 2,782 pieces) revealed that the Rio Olympic Games elicited a spike in coverage of Zika. We also found that newsworthy and easy- to- depict aspects of the disease, specifically its transmission by mosquitoes and its relation to microcephaly were covered more extensively than its sexual transmission and transmissibility from an infected person who is asymptomatic. Nevertheless, survey data over the same period of time (N = 37,180 respondents) revealed that the general amount of coverage, rather than the specifics about Zika transmission and its consequences, influenced the public’s familiarity, knowledge, and behavior.
Highlights
In order to capture the dynamic nature of the Zika Virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the United States, this study relies on a large-scale nationally representative survey and a parallel analysis of legacy media content over an eight and a half month period, from February 12, 2016 to September 26, 2016
We found that newsworthy and easy- to- depict aspects of the disease, its transmission by mosquitoes and its relation to microcephaly were covered more extensively than its sexual transmission and transmissibility from an infected person who is asymptomatic
To test the model suggested by hypotheses 1–2, a volume analysis over time was conducted, calculating the total number of articles per week
Summary
In order to capture the dynamic nature of the ZIKV outbreak in the United States, this study relies on a large-scale nationally representative survey and a parallel analysis of legacy media content over an eight and a half month period, from February 12, 2016 to September 26, 2016. Crisis communication techniques, including warnings, risk assessments, notifications, and information about symptoms and medical treatments, are among the important steps public health officials take to reduce the harm and slow the spread of infectious diseases (Veil, Reynolds, Sellnow, & Seeger, 2008). Non-experts may find it difficult to understand the technical information surrounding the risk assessment (Rowan, 1991). Studies have shown that when trying to acquire information related to prevention of diseases, people often seek health information from non-medical sources, such as the mass media (Lewis, 2017; Lewis et al, 2012). Communication experts have stressed the need to rely on these channels during crises (Reynolds & Seeger, 2005)
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