[The demographic impact of the 1918 flu epidemic through the spanish press].

Abstract

Objective: The influenza epidemic of 1918 caused a great demographic impact that modified the decreasing mortality rate that had been occurring since the early twentieth century. The objective of this study was to analyze the morbidity and mortality figures that were reflected in the Spanish press as a result of the influenza epidemic.

Methods: A selection of Spanish press was made through the Digital Newspaper Library of the National Library of Spain, from January 1, 1918 to December 31, 1920. The term flu was then searched in the selected media, and those analysis units that referred to the demographic impact of the influenza epidemic were selected. Finally, a quantitative analysis was conducted based on the year of study and the newspaper analyzed.

Results: The newspapers analysed reported the number of people who became ill and died as a result of the influenza epidemic. A total of 3,601 copies were published, highlighting an increase during the second outbreak of the epidemic, with the newspaper ABC publishing the most information about mortality.

Conclusions: Information on demographic statistics regarding mortality rates are common in the press at that time. The increase in general mortality coincides with the development of the three outbreaks of the epidemic, being very important the increase registered during the second outbreak (October 1918). The delay in the implementation of Public Health measures may be one of the causes of the large demographic impact of the influenza epidemic.