HIV/AIDS risk factors as portrayed in mass media targeting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the coverage and portrayal of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) risk factors as framed in newspaper targeting Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) peoples in canada.


METHODS
From a sample of 31 Aboriginal newspapers published in English from 1996 to 2000, 14 newspapers were randomly selected. Of 167 articles published on HIV/AIDS during this time period, all anecdotal (n=34) and an approximate 25% random sample of scientific (n=32) articles were analyzed using both quantitative (coding reliability and frequencies) and qualitative (in-depth content analysis) analyses.


RESULTS
Individual risk factors for HIV/AIDS were described in 74%, (49/66) of the articles and included unprotected sexual intercourse (20/49 or 41%), sharing of needles for injection drug use (IDU; 16/49 or 33%), infected blood transfusions (3/49 or 6%), and vertical transmission from mother to a baby (10/49 or 20%). Additional risk factors of alcohol use and poverty were mentioned in 29% and 25% of the articles. In addition to the well-recognized HIV/AIDS risk groups of prostitutes and homosexual men, sexual abuse victims, prisoners, and women were identified in aboriginal newspapers as being at risk. Although Aboriginal women were identified as being at high risk, the newspaper coverage also emphasized their lack of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Heterosexual men were not mentioned as being at risk for HIV/AIDS in the newspaper articles.


BACKGROUND
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is higher among Canadian Aboriginals than in the general population. Local and community newspapers are an important channels for the dissemination of health information for isolated, rural, and aboriginal communities.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings show that Aboriginal media identify high-risk groups and individualistic risk factors for HIV/AIDS within a public health perspective.
Hoffman-Goetz
Laurie
L
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. lhgoetz@healthy.uwaterloo.ca
Friedman
Daniela B
DB
Clarke
Juanne N
JN
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior