Mumps and the media: changes in the reporting of mumps in response to newspaper coverage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the links between national newspaper coverage of mumps after a press release and increased reports of clinical mumps cases.


METHODS
A cross sectional study involving people aged 15-24 years in the West Midlands, and England and Wales. Reported mumps cases were obtained from statutory notifications of infectious diseases to the Health Protection Agency and reports to the Royal College of General Practitioners Weekly Returns Service. Data on newspaper coverage was obtained by retrospectively reviewing the Health Protection Agency press archives.


METHODS
The effect of newspaper coverage was assessed by examining the 4 weeks before the press release (weeks 15-18 of the year), a 2-week period that included the week of the press release (weeks 19-20) and 4 weeks after the press release (weeks 21-24).


RESULTS
Mumps notification rates were declining before increased newspaper coverage. Significant increases in national (from 28.3/100 000 population (95% CI 26.5 to 30.1) in weeks 18 to 42.8 (95% CI 40.6 to 45) in week 20) and local (from 9.8 (95% CI 7.4 to 12.1) to 21.2 (95% CI 17.7 to 24.6)) notification rates were seen after increased newspaper coverage. Reports rapidly declined after decreased media interest.


CONCLUSIONS
The reported incidence rate of mumps seems to be markedly influenced by the level of newspaper coverage. This has implications for surveillance activities.
Olowokure
Babatunde
B
Health Protection Agency, Regional Surveillance Unit (West Midlands), 9th Floor, Ladywood House, 45 Stephenson Street, Birmingham B2 4DY, UK. babatunde.olowokure@hpa.org.uk
Clark
Lilian
L
Elliot
Alex J
AJ
Harding
Douglas
D
Fleming
Ann
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018563:Disease Notification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009107:Mumps / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009524:Newspapers as Topic