Newspaper Reportage of Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Issues in Nigeria: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This systematic review synthesises 88 empirical and conceptual studies on newspaper reporting of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) issues in Nigeria, analysing themes, frames, tones, regional differences, theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, and overall literature synthesis. The findings indicate that sanitation (43. 26%) and water (33. 33%) receive the most coverage, whereas hygiene and open defecation are accorded less attention. Regional disparities are evident, with a higher prevalence of studies from Northern Nigeria (19. 32%) compared to the southern regions (7. 95%). Theories such as Agenda Setting and Framing Theory (19% and 16%, respectively) are frequently utilised, underscoring the media' s influence in shaping public perception. The review identifies nine predominant frames, with ‘Problem and Risk’ (33. 33%) and ‘Crisis’ (27. 84%) being most prominent, reflecting the media' s focus on urgent WASH issues and crises. The ‘Health and Safety’ frame (13. 64%) also plays a significant role, while the ‘Economic Impact’ (3. 41%) and ‘Solution- Oriented’ (4. 55%) frames are less prevalent, indicating a reactive, event- driven approach. Regarding tone, advocacy (49%) and negative tones (24%) predominate, emphasising awareness and highlighting deficiencies within WASH systems. Conversely, positive (16%) and neutral (11%) tones are less frequently employed, limiting solution- focused discourse. The most common research methodologies include content analysis (48%) and mixed methods (24%), which elucidate WASH framing. The findings identify several opportunities for further research, including the impact of underreporting WASH issues in marginalised communities on public health in Nigeria. The need to investigate the media representation of women and children in WASH reporting and the role of the media in advocating for sustainable water and sanitation policy reforms. These proposed research directions aim to fill existing gaps in understanding the influence of media on public health and policy development within the WASH sector.