Newspaper coverage of HIV/AIDS in China from 2000 to 2010

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Junling Gao, Fudan University; Hua Fu, Fudan University; Lavinia Lin, Emory University; Eric Nehl, Emory University; Frank Wong, Emory University; Pinpin Zheng, Fudan University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-09-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2012.752785
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: AIDS Care
• ISSN: 0954-0121
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 9
• Start Page: 1174
• End Page: 1178
• Grant/Funding Information: Preparation of this article was supported in part by the Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI050409; Nehl and Wong).
• Keywords: newspapers; MASS-MEDIA; Social Sciences, Biomedical; China; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Health Care Sciences & Services; CAMPAIGN; Respiratory System; HIV; coverage; AIDS; Psychology; AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAGAZINES; Health Policy & Services; Social Sciences; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Biomedical Social Sciences; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Abstract

Mass media in China play a significant role in the dissemination of HIV/AIDS knowledge to the general public. Previous studies have described how the Chinese mass media portray HIV/AIDS in general, but no study has yet to examine changes in patterns of HIV/AIDS reporting over time. This study aims to describe and examine newspaper coverage of HIV/AIDS in China from 2000 to 2010. A systematic search of the China Core Newspapers Database was conducted to identify HIV/AIDS-focused news articles; we found 3648 articles. Results show that coverage rates of HIV/AIDS in newspapers remained low, with only about three articles published per newspaper per year between 2000 and 2010. The sources focused primarily on prevention methods (23.7%), development of a cure or vaccine (21.2%), and education and awareness (17.2%). The HIV/AIDS-related topic covered in an article varied significantly depending on scope (national vs. local) of the newspaper (χ2=130.37, p<0.001) and article type (χ2=455.72, p<0.001). Totally, more articles were classified as positive than negative from 2002 to 2010. Findings indicate that the HIV/AIDS news-reporting pattern has shifted in the past decade, with more news stories disclosing information about prevention or treatment. However, coverage of HIV/AIDS remains insufficient. Enhancing collaboration between health educators and media sources can be an important strategy in disseminating HIV/AIDS knowledge.