TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page - - - - - - - - -i
Certification - - - - - - - - -ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - -iii
Acknowledgments - - - - - - - -iv
Abstract - - - - - - - - -
Table of contents - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - -
1.2 Statement of Problem - - - - - - -
1.3 Objective of the Study - - - - - -
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - -
1.4 Significant of Study - - - - - - -
1.6 Scope of the Study - - - - - - -
1.7 Definition of Terms - - - - - - -
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Conceptual Review - - - - - - - -- -
2.1.1 Theme/Framing of COVID 19 Vaccines - - - - - -
2.1.2 Frequency of Newspaper Coverage of Covid-19 Vaccine - - - -
2.1.3 Format of Newspaper Coverage of COVID 10 Vaccine - - - -
2.1.4 Sources of COVID-19 Vaccine Information by Newspapers = =
2.1.5 Newspaper Motive for COVID-19 Vaccine uptake in Nigeria - - -
2.2 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - -
2.3 Empirical Review == = = = = = = =
2.4 Summary of Literature Review - - - - - - -
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design - - - - - - - - -
3.2 Population of the Study- - - - - - - -
3.3 Sample Size- - - - - - - - - -
3.4 Sampling Technique- - - - - - - - -
3.5 Instrument of Data Collection- - - - - - -
3.5.1. Reliability of Instrument - - -- - - - - -
3.6 Procedure for Data Collection -- - - - - -
3.7 Technique of Data Analysis - - - - - - -
3.8 Limitation of the Study- - - - - - - -
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation - - - - - - - -
4.2 Data Analysis - - - - - - -
4.3 Discussion of Findings - - - - - -
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - -
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - -
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - -
REFERENCES - - - - - - - -
APPENDIX (Questionnaire) - - - - - -
Abstract
The study examined newspaper coverage of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. The study aimed to identify the themes, tone, sources, motives and formats of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023. The study was anchored on the agenda setting theory of mass communication. A content analysis of 126 newspaper articles from three major Nigeria newspapers (Vanguard, The Punch and Nigeria Tribune) were sampled from the 3,285 issues combined. The study adopted the probability sampling technique to select issues on constructive weeks and non-probability on the continuous weeks. A coding sheeting was the data collection instrument and the instrument was validated. The study conclusion reviewed that Nigerian newspapers have significant theme presentation, demonstrate a positive tone, generate information from official sources to create awareness of the potency of the COVID-19 vaccine and these stories appear inform of straight news format and visual presentation of data and pictures of the vaccine been up-taken by the people. The study recommends that Newspaper should priotise publishing accurate, scientific based information on COVID 9 vaccine by tailoring messages to specific demographics to best address the issues about hesitancy of the vaccine so as to actively debunk myths and misinformation about COVID 19 vaccine.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Newspapers have long served as a cornerstone of mass communication, providing vital information, analysis, and commentary on a wide range of topics that shape society. From their humble beginnings as handwritten newsletters to their modern digital incarnations, newspapers have played a crucial role in informing, educating, and engaging readers around the world. The concept of newspapers dates back centuries, with early precursors emerging in ancient civilizations such as Rome, China, and the Islamic world. Ayadike (2015), suggested that the media and society must always co-exist. As such, the functions of the newspaper are consistently analyzed by media experts and scholars. Norris (2000) stated that commentators commonly suggest newspaper should fulfill certain goals such as raising public awareness about everything.
Many believe that the news media have a particular responsibility to strengthen democracy through political coverage that should educate the public about issues, inform citizens about the contenders for office and mobilize people to turn out. Egbon (2010) posit that communication has been a vital catalyst in the process of socio-economic and political development. Newspapers are of the principal channels for disseminating information about public health and processes in modern societies. Newspaper can serve as behavior models for the public health by indicating which behavior patterns and attitudes are acceptable or not.
Newspapers serve multiple functions in society, fulfilling a variety of roles that contribute to the functioning of democracy, the dissemination of information, and the exchange of ideas. Through news reporting, investigative journalism, and feature articles, newspapers provide readers with timely, accurate, and in-depth coverage of a wide range of topics, especially public health. In today’s society, newspapers play the instrumental role of stimulating development and health behavior by circulating relevant health information about people in the society. As a result of this crucial role, newspapers are widely considered as integral part of social development around the world. According to Oboh (2015), a newspaper is a wholesome package of news, events, people and places in a given area and published on predetermined published contents, newspapers seek to reflect major societal happenings, advocate societal development and champion social change issues, including human right activism.
Due to the very efficient nature of vaccination programs on the African continent against vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of high and sustainable uptake, Africa has historically reported impressive reductions in mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases (Dubé et al. 2016; Cooper et al. 2018). As a result, vaccination adoption is crucial for personal health, protecting vulnerable people, improving socio-economic life, and achieving population health and safety through immunity. The development of COVID-19 vaccines has rekindled hope in many societies that have been devastated by the pandemic's massive loss of lives and livelihoods. Nonetheless, as the acquisition and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines gain traction, tensions and challenges have surfaced and are developing in tandem. Supply issues, vaccine nationalism, inequitable vaccine distribution and access both within and between nations, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) are only a few examples (World Health Organization 2021). When vaccination services are available and accessible, vaccine hesitancy refers to a refusal to get immunizations. It is not only widespread and inaccurate, but it is also extremely contagious (Wiyeh et al. 2018).
The effectiveness and safety of vaccine campaigns to control COVID-19 are not the only factors to consider. The general public and healthcare personnel’s acceptance of vaccines appears to play a critical part in the pandemic's successful management. VH and rejection appear to be a rising problem, according to recent continental and global surveys (Fisher et al. 2020). The highest acceptance rates among adults were found in Ecuador (97.0 %), Malaysia (94.3 %), Indonesia (93.3 %), and China (93.3 %), according to a comprehensive evaluation of global COVID19 acceptance rates from 33 different nations (91.3 %). Kuwait (23.6 %), Jordan (28.4 %), Italy (53.7 %), Russia (54.9 %), Poland (56.3 %), the United States (56.9%), and France (58.9%) had the lowest COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rates (Sallam 2021). In a separate large community-based study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the US, it was found that 22% of the respondents were hesitant to take these vaccines if they were available (Khubchandani et al. 2021). Although data on acceptance rates appear to be scarce, published studies reveal that acceptance rates range from 27.7% in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 78.1 % in Israel. In the Middle East, Russia, Africa, and various European nations, low rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake have been recorded, (Cardenas 2021).
In the context of this study, newspaper possesses the ability to create visual presentation of heath information for the public to have quick understanding of public health issues. Apuke and Omar (2020), the relationship between newspaper and health communication of vaccine ace[ptance relates to the fact that newspaper create public understanding by reporting health related information in keeping the general population informed but also helping to allay fears that usually hover around vaccine effects. In support to the assertion of above view, Olapegba, Ayandele, Kolawole, Oguntayo, Gandi, Dangiwa, Ottu and orfa (2020), mentioned that newspaper extensive coverage and reporting of COVID-19 vaccine helped to curtail the panic and spread of rumor that are often associated with disease outbreaks. Nigeria to assess the knowledge of the populace on COVID-19, the mass media (Television, radio and Newspaper) provided the most source of ‘go-to’ for information. In another study carried out to assess the knowledge and perceptions and attitude of Egyptians towards COVID-19 vaccine knowledge, majority of the respondents had good general knowledge about the mode of transmission and prevention of the disease with a strong influence of their awareness due to a massive media-driven campaign on newspapers, (Abdelhafiz, Mohammed, Ibrahim, 2020). The nexus between newspaper reporting of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance showed that newspapers were frontiers of information disseminations in Nigeria and majority of the people generate valid information towards accepting the uptake of the vaccine.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Existing studies had established the important role of newspaper in public health communications. This is evidence in the space of public health education and promotion. Newspaper justifies the inclusive health communication by creating visual contents which serve as directions to uptake of vaccine. According to Cameron, Marcey and Lisa (2023), if mass media overload lay on one side of the information spectrum, a constituent of the opposite side would be the individual patient-physician relationship, which can also strongly influence the perspective, behavior, and decisions of the patient. The importance of quality communication and a meaningful patient-physician relationship with higher patient satisfaction, trust, and adherence to prescribed treatments, (Khubchandani, et al 2021). Evidence shows that the quality of communication which the newspapers portray is important, especially as it relates to provider empathy levels, which are linked to better clinical outcomes, Bewley & Page (2011). For instance, in pediatric primary care practices, health care providers are consistently cited as key factors in a parent’s decision to vaccinate their children (Mohanty et al, 2016). Recent data has shown that higher levels of trust in health care professionals and the government can counter the negative effect of misinformation and, therefore, increase the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination in individuals, (Chen, Lee &, Lin, 2022).
However, in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, the newspapers appraisal for reporting vaccine uptake is mixed with several shortcomings. According to Sayemi et al (2023), on their study on coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine administration by Nigerian newspaper is inclusive because there is gap in reportage which include the side effects in the country. Print media is still inadequate considering the hesitancy and the palpable fears among people about the vaccine. The source of the information used by the newspaper are good however they can also focus more on the perspective of recipients of the vaccines and the various outcomes they experienced after taking the vaccine. While side effects are not reported in the newspaper and the regulatory bodies had provided information on where to report the side effects for anyone who took the vaccines, the print media did not provide much information on where to report the side effects and how to report it.
Based on these shortcomings of the print media, this study sought to analysis the communicating themes of coverage, theme, frequency of coverage, tone of coverage,, motive of coverage, sources and format of coverage.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The primary aim of this study is to examine the communicating of COVID 19 Vaccine acceptance in Nigeria newspapers. However, the specific objectives are to:
- Identify the themes of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023.
- Examine the tone of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023.
- Ascertain the source of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023.
- Discover the motives of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023.
- Establish the formats of coverage. of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023.
1.4 Research Questions
Based on the specific objectives of the study, the following research questions were formulated to guide the study
- What are the themes of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023?
- What is the tone of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023?
- What is the source of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023?
- What are the motives of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023?
- What are the formats of coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance in selected Nigeria Newspaper from 2021 to 2023?
1.5 Significant of the Study
This study is set to benefit the general public, health workers, the government and newspaper house.
Public Perception: The study will help the public to examining how newspapers communicate information about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance provides valuable insights into public perception, attitudes, and beliefs regarding vaccination. By analyzing the tone and content of newspaper articles, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among different populations. Newspapers play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing behavior through their coverage of important issues such as COVID-19 vaccination. Studying newspaper communication of vaccine acceptance allows researchers to assess the impact of media messages on individuals' willingness to get vaccinated, as well as their trust in vaccines and public health authorities.
Public Health Communication: Effective communication is essential for promoting vaccine acceptance and uptake, particularly during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. By studying newspaper communication of vaccine acceptance, researchers can evaluate the effectiveness of public health messaging strategies, identify best practices for communicating vaccine-related information, and develop targeted interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Policy Implications: The findings of the study have important policy implications for public health authorities, policymakers, and media organizations. Understanding the role of newspapers in shaping attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination can inform the development of evidence-based communication strategies, policy interventions, and media campaigns aimed at promoting vaccine acceptance, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and improving public health outcomes.
Academic Knowledge: The study will contribute to existing academic knowledge by becoming research material for future researchers to gain more insight or suggests for future research scope.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study covers the examination of communicating of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Nigeria newspapers. Periodically, the study is limited to three years which cut across 2021 to 2023.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Newspapers: A newspaper is a printed or digital publication that provides news, information, and commentary on current events, topics of interest, and issues of relevance to a specific audience. Newspapers typically contain articles, editorials, opinion pieces, photographs, illustrations, advertisements, and other content organized into sections or categories.
COVID 19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is a vaccine developed to provide protection against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the respiratory illness known as COVID-19. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious diseases, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines have been a critical global effort to control the spread of the virus and end the pandemic.
Vaccines Acceptance: Vaccine acceptance refers to the willingness of individuals or communities to receive vaccines to protect against infectious diseases. It encompasses attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to vaccination, including acceptance of vaccine safety, efficacy, and importance for personal and public health.
Communication: Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings between individuals or groups through verbal, non-verbal, and written means. Effective communication is essential for conveying messages, building relationships, exchanging knowledge, and influencing behavior.
