COVERAGE OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE BY SELECTED NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS (JANUARY 2016- DECEMBER 2018)

ABSTRACT

The study focuses on the coverage of sickle cell disease by selected Nigerian national newspapers. Four newspapers were selected using simple random sampling through balloting from a list of high circulation and widely read national newspapers. The study adopted the quantitative content analysis and adopted a census study of four Nigerian newspapers; the Guardian, Vanguard, Daily Trust and Punch. The agenda setting theory was used as the theoretical framework and the instrument used for data collection was a self-designed code sheet. The study covered a three-year period (January 2016 to December 2018). Analysis was done using frequency and percentage scores and presented in tabular form. The findings revealed that the selected newspapers reported issues of sickle cell disease. However, the coverage was low with a total of two hundred and three (203) news stories by the four newspapers during the period studied. In addition, findings show that prominence was not given to the coverage of sickle cell disease since most reports were found on the inside pages of the newspapers. Articles emphasized on genetic causation, effect of the disorder and prevention of the disease. It was revealed that the newspapers‟ source for information are majorly from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Ministry of Health as well as the World Health Organization (WHO). The study concludes that the coverage of sickle cell disease by the four newspapers was under low. Therefore, it recommended that Nigerian newspapers should give prominence to sickle cell disease to adequately fulfil their Agenda Setting role to the Nigerian populace as far as educating the people on the causes, effects and prevention of sickle cell disorder,