Science reporting in Accra, Ghana: sources, barriers and motivational factors.

In Ghana, as in many other developing countries, most science reporting is done by general reporters. However, few studies have investigated science reporting in such a situation. To understand better the dynamics of science reporting in such context, we surveyed 151 general reporters in Ghana. Respondents' demographic characteristics resembled those found in studies elsewhere. Respondents perceived health professionals and scientists as very important sources of information for reporting science. There was an inverse correlation between journalism experience and the number of science feature stories reported in the past 12 months (p=.017). Most respondents indicated that science journalism training would motivate them to report science more. Likewise, most reported that easier access to research findings would do so. We identify characteristics of reporters, media, scientific, and training institutions that are important influences of Ghanaian reporters' coverage of science. We provide recommendations for advancing science reporting in Ghana.

The needs for public health education: reflections from the 27th world veterinary congress.

The needs for public health education are addressed based on papers presented at the 27th World veterinary Congress held in Tunis, Tunisia, on September 25-29, 2002. The article first summarizes the public health problems presented from developing countries, followed by the problems from developed countries. A summary of the solutions proposed or practiced by each group of speakers is presented. On the basis of the problems and solutions presented, the author suggests how education can address the problems and their solutions. The dichotomy between developed and developing countries is not new, but educational advances in veterinary public health (VPH) are required to provide the citizens of all countries with safe food and less risk of zoonotic diseases. This is true whether a country is too poor to have adequate veterinary services for good food safety and preventing major zoonoses, or is a wealthy country plagued by the emerging pathogens associated with modern intensive agriculture systems.