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Analysis of oral health information in the Spanish mass media
Author(s) -
Noguerol Blas,
Follana Mariano,
Sicilia Alberto,
Sanz Mariano
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1992.tb00666.x
Subject(s) - medicine , oral health , mass media , dentistry , traditional medicine , advertising , business
The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health information delivered by the Spanish mass media. The study was composed of two parts. In a quantitative study three media were selected: Press. radio, and television. The study was carried out between December 1987 and March 1988. and the media with largest numbers and audience were selected. Information variables were: politics economy‐labor culture‐education interviews events‐reports sports leisure publicity health oral health miscellaneous. The mass media studied dedicated a very small percentage of their space/time to health information, with a clear predominance of oilier themes such as publicity, politics, and sports (17/1). In relation to oral health, results were even more significant because the space time dedicated to health in relation to oral health was 180/1 ( P < 0.01). Most of (he oral health lime was given via promotional or politico‐professional issues ( P < 0.05). In a qualitative study all available information relating in any way with oral health was selected from a survey of all written news by the non‐specialized Spanish press that appeared during 1 yr (Jan 1987 Jan 1988). Reports dedicated to education were only 170(31.48%) of the total (540) oral health reports. From 170 reports dedicated to oral health. 33 (19.41%) presented some sort of error and 137 (80.59) had an adequate educative content. Caries was the topic more frequently covered. 77.06% of the data, in contrast to periodontal disease, dealt with by only 33.53%. The qualitative level of data using a Score Level Index (SLI) was 42.73% of the highest possible level. Implications for public health dentistry are discussed.