Adherence to COVID‐19 health protocols in an online news context in the Philippines: A manifest content analysis

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesGlobally, adherence to COVID‐19 health and safety protocols played a crucial role in preventing the spread of the virus. Thus, this study analyzed online news articles reporting adherence to COVID‐19 health and safety protocols in the Philippines.DesignManifest content analysis.SampleNews articles (n = 192) from three major online news portals in the Philippines.MeasurementPublished online news articles were collected during the peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic (March 2020 to March 2021). Bengtsson's content analysis approach was used to analyze the data. Member‐checking and intercoder reliability validated the study's results.ResultsThree main themes emerged: (a) adherence, (b) non‐adherence, and (c) partial adherence. The subthemes were labeled who, what, when, where, and why. The same behavior, social distancing, was the most adhered to and non‐adhered COVID‐19 health protocol. This protocol has the highest occurrences in political protest, religious‐related activities, and self‐initiated quarantine. Leisure activities both showed non‐adherence and partial adherence.ConclusionsOnline news articles depicted Filipinos’ adherence to health and safety protocols. Their adherence was primarily determined by one's group or community, social norms, and values. The government and its public health agencies should strengthen current efforts and continuously re‐evaluate existing policies to modify ineffective and confusing safety health protocols.