"What Sri Lankan newspapers publish on sexual health? A content analysis of the articles and advertisements from Sinhalese and English newspapers published in July 2015"

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze t he quantity and the content of sexual health related articles and advertisements published in Sri Lankan newspapers. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study and the sample consisted of Sinhalese and English weekly newspapers and a random sam ple of daily newspapers published in July 2015, that were available at the Public library - Colombo, which were scrutinized to identify sexual health related articles and advertisements. Data was collected using pre - tested checklists, independently by two r esearches. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: Among a total of 236 newspaper issues, 210 articles and advertisements were on sexual health. Majority (60%, n=125) were advertisements which appeared more on weekly Sinhala newspapers. Majority (71%, n=89 ) of advertisements were for sexual health services and from them 61% (n=54) were for sexual dysfunctions and 39% (n=35) on STI treatments. Advertisements on services for sexual health significantly appeared more in Sinhalese newspapers. (p=0.035) Almost 9 0% (n=78) of service advertisements did not indicate a service provider. None were on condoms. Nearly 50% (n=42) of 85 detailed articles were related to risk populations, out of that, 69% (n=29) mentioned stigma/discrimination. Only 1/3 (n=28) of articles directly mentioned STI, HIV or both. 2 articles mentioned condoms as a preventive method and another 4 had details on linked to care. Conclusions : There were many advertisements related to sexual health and most of them were advertising treatment services for sexual dysfunctions. Significant percentage of advertisements lacked details of the service provider. Very few articles addressed STD/HIV in - depth and they also markedly lacked information on condoms, link to care services including NSACP. The bulk of the analyzed articles were on risk populations with mentioni ng of stigma/ discrimination