TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
Fly Leaf
Title Page – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – iv-v
Table of Contents – – – – – – vi-viii
List of Tables – – – – – – ix
List of Appendix – – – – – – x
Abstract – – – – – – – xi
1.0 INTRODUCTION – – – – – 1
- Background of the Study – – – – – 1-4
- Statement of the Problem – – – – – 4-5
- Objectives of the Study – – – – – 5
- Research Question – – – – – 6
- Significance of the Study – – – – 6-7
- Scope and Limitation of the Study – – – 7-8
- Definition of Terms – – – – – 8-9
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE – 10
2.1 Review of Concepts – – – – – 10
2.1.1 Diabetes – – – – – – – 10-13
2.1.2 Hypertension – – – – – – 13-15
2.2 Review of Opinion – – – – – 15
2.2.1 The Press and Society – – – – – 15-19
2.2.2 Power of the Press – – – – – – 19-21
2.2.3 Newspaper as a Means of Information – – 21-25
2.2.4 Reporting the Health Sector – – – – 25-27
2.2.5 The Newspaper and Health Communication in Nigeria 27-30
2.3 Theoretical Framework – – – – – 30
2.3.1 Agenda Setting Theory – – – – – 30-32
2.3.2 Gate-Keeping Theory – – – – – 32-34
2.4 Review of Related Studies – – – – 34
2.4.1 Chukwu U.S (2006) Health Coverage in Select Nigerian
Newspapers – – – – – – – 34-35
2.4.2 Robert, D. F. (1994) Coverage of Children in Television
News Magazines – – – – – – 35-36
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY – – – 37
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – 37
3.2 The Population of the Study – – – – 38
3.3 Sample Size – – – – – – 38-39
3.4 Content Categories – – – – – 39
3.5 Coding – – – – – – – 40
3.6 Units of Analysis – – – – – – 40-41
3.7 Method of Data Collection – – – – 41
3.8 Inter-coder Reliability – – – – – 42-44
3.9 Method of Data Analysis – – – – 45
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS – – – 46
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – 46-53
4.2 Discussion of Findings – – – – – 53-59
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings – – – – – 60-61
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 61-62
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – 62-63
References
Appendix
ABSTRACTThis study was designed to investigate coverage of Diabetes and Hypertension issues by select Nigerian Newspapers. The newspapers content analyzed were the Punch and the Guardian published between November 1, 2012 and April 30, 2013. A sample of 182 editions, that is, 91 for each newspaper is used for six months period. The unit of analysis is spread and treatment of the diseases. The findings revealed that, in terms of frequency of reportage, the punch newspaper exceeded the Guardian, by published 11. Both newspapers published a total of 27 diabetes and hypertension stories during the period under study. The finding also revealed that the Punch and the Guardian gave no prominence to diabetes and hypertension stories. This was because both newspapers placed just five out of 27 Diabetes/Hypertension stories on the front page. Based on the findings, the study recommends that Nigerian mass media particularly newspapers should accord more prominence to their reportage of health issues so as to motivate the public to become aware of their preventive measures. Government should strengthen and equip relevant health agencies in the country to be reliable in facing the challenges and difficulties caused by diabetes and hypertension as well as other health related issues.
