Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage of the HPV vaccine

Abstract

Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.

Applying Multiple Data Collection Tools to Quantify Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Communication on Twitter

“…The first method used prospective data collection (Figure 1, box A) with a proprietary software program developed by Black and colleagues [28], and the second method employed retrospective data collection (Figure 1, box B) through Microsoft Research. To identify tweets related to HPV vaccination, we used the following keyword search terms and hashtags: “HPV,” “#HPV,” “HPV vaccine,” “#HPVvaccine,” “HPV shot,” “#hpvshot,” “Gardasil,” “#Gardasil,” “Cervarix,” and “#Cervarix.” We developed these keywords by drawing from previous research in content analyses of HPV print and Web-based news sources, balancing the general HPV-related topics with vaccine-specific information [29,30]. …”

“…We developed a codebook to classify the content of the 140 characters, and in this study we report on sentiment toward the HPV vaccine (positive, negative, neutral, or no mention), side effects discussed, and prevention or protection discussed. We derived the coding system from previous content analysis research conducted by study team members about the HPV vaccine [29,30], although in print rather than in social media, as well as published Twitter content analysis research [13]. Table 1 details the sample codebook with features including variable description, along with tweet examples.…”

Understanding the role of the news media in HPV vaccine uptake in the United States: Synthesis and commentary

“…21 Concerns over promiscuity were still present in news coverage, but additional anti-vaccine arguments appeared in news coverage as well, making this single message less prominent. 19,[22][23][24][25] A new message about parental autonomy in vaccine decision-making emerged at this time, 19,[21][22][23][24] as did an anti-vaccine message expressing concern about the potential for unknown and harmful side effects from a new vaccine. 19,22 Yet despite the rise in more and varied anti-vaccine arguments appearing in coverage, based upon the small number of studies that examine the tone of coverage, articles in this period were still more positive than negative toward the vaccine on balance (among studies that included such an assessment).…”

“…19,22 Yet despite the rise in more and varied anti-vaccine arguments appearing in coverage, based upon the small number of studies that examine the tone of coverage, articles in this period were still more positive than negative toward the vaccine on balance (among studies that included such an assessment). [21][22][23] In contrast to studies reporting on news coverage in the previous period, several studies examining media coverage during this period did analyze the sources cited in the content. Medical or health researchers and clinicians were generally the most frequently cited sources for information about the vaccine and/or their viewpoints on the vaccine.…”

“…Medical or health researchers and clinicians were generally the most frequently cited sources for information about the vaccine and/or their viewpoints on the vaccine. 19,[21][22][23][24][25] However, politicians also appeared in media attention, 19,[21][22][23] with the views of those identified as political conservatives dominating over other identified political officials earlier in this period and becoming more balanced politically later. 19 Supporting the notion that the health perspective became less of the focus of news coverage during this period, one study reports that a substantial proportion of articles used no health frame at all.…”