title: National network television news coverage of contraception - a content analysis.
abstract: The objective was to describe and analyze national network television news framing of contraception, recognizing that onscreen news can influence the public's knowledge and beliefs.
  
  
  
  We used the Vanderbilt Television News Archives and LexisNexis Database to obtain video and print transcripts of all relevant national network television news segments covering contraception from January 2010 to June 2014. We conducted a content analysis of 116 TV news segments covering contraception during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Segments were quantitatively coded for contraceptive methods covered, story sources used, and inclusion of medical and nonmedical content (intercoder reliability using Krippendorf's alpha ranged 0.6-1 for coded categories).
  
  
  
  Most (55%) news stories focused on contraception in general rather than specific methods. The most effective contraceptive methods were rarely discussed (implant, 1%; intrauterine device, 4%). The most frequently used sources were political figures (40%), advocates (25%), the general public (25%) and Catholic Church leaders (16%); medical professionals (11%) and health researchers (4%) appeared in a minority of stories. A minority of stories (31%) featured medical content.
  
  
  
  National network news coverage of contraception frequently focuses on contraception in political and social terms and uses nonmedical figures such as politicians and church leaders as sources. This focus deemphasizes the public health aspect of contraception, leading medical professionals and health content to be rarely featured.
  
  
  
  Media coverage of contraception may influence patients' views about contraception. Understanding the content, sources and medical accuracy of current media portrayals of contraception may enable health care professionals to dispel popular misperceptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: pattone@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Michelle H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Moniz
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, PA.
authors.forename: Lauren S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buis
authors.affiliation: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D011057:Politics; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011634:Public Health; D013690:Television; D014481:United States
keywords: Contraception; Culture; Media; Unintended pregnancy