Malek Afzali H¹ (MD, PhD), Eftekhar H¹ (MD, PhD), Baradaran Eftekhari M * ² (MD, MPH), Paikari N² (MSc), Djalalinia S² (MSc), Falahat K² (MSc), Habibi E² (MSc), Dejman M³ (MD, PhD), Setareh Forouzan A³ (MD, PhD)

  ¹ School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ² Undersecretary for Research & Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

  ³ University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran

  Received: 18 Aug 2009, Accepted: 13 Nov 2009

  Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, newspapers are of high importance in raising community awareness due to their large daily circulation, national distribution, appropriate price and accessibility. The present study was conducted to assess the quality and quantity of published health research results and news in three national broadsheet newspapers with large daily circulation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Sixty issues of three newspapers named Iran, Keyhan and Hamshahri have been assessed in terms of the number of published health article using a validate questionnaires.

Results: In this study, 696 health related articles were found one forth of them represented the results of different health researches. The mean number of these articles in each edition was 3.8. The sources of most of these articles were interviews of the journalists and national news agencies. Most of health or health research results have been situated in knowledge and technology sections and more than 70% of articles were news-type. More than 50% of health related articles provided health promotion results. 70% of health research articles had been conducted in developed countries. Target group of mentioned news and research results were public community.

Conclusion: Media has effective role in transferring health information. It is obvious that empowerment of researchers on how to disseminate knowledge based on their audience have important roles in public health promotion.

Key words: Newspapers, Newspaper Article [Publication Type] , Health Education

  Hakim Research Journal 2009 12(3): 40- 44.

  * Corresponding Author: Azadi Avenue , Opposite to Avesta Park, Undersecretary for Research & Technology, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98- 21- 66582521, Fax: +98- 21- 66582535, eftekharimonir@yahoo.com