Information is inevitable in the health profession. The need to become informed and knowledgeable which leads to “information seeking behaviour processes” is important among qualified health workers who have vital roles in achieving health goals of a given country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the health information seeking behaviour of rural health workers in Karonga, Malawi. Specifically, the study determined the health information needs; awareness of health information sources; ascertained the health information sources consulted; the benefits of consulting health information sources; and establish the challenges faced by rural health workers in accessing. The study used a cross-sectional study design employing quantitative method. Purposive sampling was used to select a study sample of 50 health workers to participate in the study. The collected data was analysed descriptively using IBM SPSS version 20. Results showed that almost all study participants (96%) had an information need. Their needs included updates on new health issues, need to provide quality of service and need to upgrade knowledge. The study found that majority of rural health workers 46(92%) were aware of information sources. The study also revealed that the major information sources accessed by rural health workers were both print and electronic sources which included reference materials, text books, and online databases among others. The study also showed that the majority (52%) of respondent’s preferred accessing health information at their respective hospital offices. The sampled health workers cited lack of hospital libraries, funding, inadequate and poor ICT facilities, and outdated health information resources as major challenges. From the findings, it is evident that health information seeking behaviour is poor. Therefore, the study recommends that there should be supportive policies, improved ICT infrastructure, increased funding and advocacy for development of libraries in rural health facilities.
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background information
1.2 Case description
1.3 Statement of the problem
1.4 Aim of the study
1.5 Specific Objectives
1.6 Research Questions
1.7 Significance of the study
1.8 Conceptual Framework
1.8.1 Wilson's Model of Information seeking
1.9 Scope and limitations of the study
1.10 Synopsis
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2. Information Needs
2.3 Awareness and health information sources
2.4 Benefits of consulting health information sources
2.5 Challenges to Seeking Health Information
2.6 Healthcare delivery System in Malawi
2.7 Synopsis
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research design
3.3 Study area
3.4 Sampling technique
3.5 Instrumentation and procedures of data collection
3.5.1 Questionnaire
3.6 Data Collection
3.7 Data Analysis
3.8 Ethical Consideration
3.10 Dissemination of Results
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS AND RESULTS
4.2 Response rate
4.3 Demographic profiling
4.4 Health information needs
4.5 Awareness of health information sources
4.5.1 General awareness of health information sources
4.5.2 Types of health information sources that they were aware of
4.5.3 Source of awareness of health information sources
4.5.4 Level of proficiency
4.6. Health information sources consulted by rural health workers
4.6.1 Format preferences in accessing health information sources
4.6.2 Electronic health information sources
4.6.3 Print health information sources
4.6.4 Purpose of consulting health information sources
4.7 Benefits for consulting health information sources
4.7.1 Preferred place of accessing health information sources
4.8. Challenges faced in accessing and using health information sources
4.9 Summary
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSIONS OF THE FINDINGS, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Health information needs
5.3 Awareness of health information sources
5.4 Health information sources consulted by rural health workers
5.5 Benefits of consulting health information sources
5.6 Challenges faced by rural health workers in accessing and using health information sources
5.7 Summary of the key findings
5.7 Study implications
5.8 Recommendations for Further Study
5.9 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the health information seeking behavior of rural health workers in public health facilities within the Karonga District of Malawi, identifying their specific information needs, preferred sources, and the challenges they face in accessing these resources.
- Establishing the health information needs of rural health workers.
- Determining the awareness and utilization levels of various health information sources.
- Evaluating the benefits of consulting health information for professional practice.
- Analyzing barriers such as infrastructure, funding, and skill gaps hindering access.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2 Case description
Karonga District is in the northern region of Malawi. The district covers 3355km square and has a population of 10950 who access services. It is a border district between Malawi and Tanzania, mainly occupied by Nkhonde tribe. The district has 1 district hospital, 2 rural hospitals (in chilumba and Kaporo) and fifteen rural health centers throughout the district. (Government of Malawi, 2008). According to MoH (2014), rural hospitals and health centres in Malawi face many challenges in delivering healthcare due to a shortage of labour, a lack of basic health-facility infrastructure, poor management practices, and insufficient financing. These are poorly equipped with regard to electricity, communications equipment, computers with Internet, and emergency transport.
In addition, rural health facilities also have irregular and weak practices for facilitating communication and coordination among staff, and between facility staff and the communities that they serve (MoH, 2014).Therefore, this study was conducted in karonga targeting the following health facilities; Chilumba rural hospital, Furiwa health center, Chilumba barracks health center, Sangilo health center and St Anne’s health center in order to investigate health information
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: Provides the definition of information-seeking behavior and outlines the problem statement regarding the limited access to information in rural public health facilities in Karonga.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines existing studies on health information needs, common sources used by medical professionals, and the systemic challenges faced in developing countries.
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY: Details the cross-sectional study design and the use of purposive sampling to collect quantitative data from 50 health workers via questionnaires.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS AND RESULTS: Analyzes the survey responses, highlighting the demographic profile of the participants and their reliance on both print and electronic sources.
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSIONS OF THE FINDINGS, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Discusses the results within the context of Wilson’s information-seeking model and proposes policy recommendations to address identified infrastructure gaps.
Keywords
Information seeking behaviour, Rural health workers, Karonga District, Public health, Health information sources, Wilson's model, Healthcare delivery, Malawi, Electronic information, Medical diagnosis, Capacity building, Information needs, ICT infrastructure, Clinical practice, Health literacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the information-seeking behavior of health workers in rural public health facilities, specifically in the Karonga District of Malawi, to understand how they acquire information for their professional duties.
What are the central themes discussed in the study?
The study centers on the identification of information needs, awareness of information sources, common challenges such as infrastructure limitations, and the impact of information access on the quality of healthcare.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary objective is to investigate the current information-seeking practices of rural health workers to identify gaps that hinder the delivery of quality and sustainable healthcare services.
Which methodology was employed for this study?
The study adopted a cross-sectional study design utilizing quantitative methods, specifically questionnaires administered to a purposive sample of 50 health workers.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The work covers theoretical frameworks of information behavior, a comprehensive literature review, detailed methodology, a rigorous analysis of survey data, and discussions regarding findings compared to previous international studies.
What are the defining keywords for this study?
Key terms include information seeking behaviour, rural health workers, Karonga District, public health, health information sources, Wilson's model, and healthcare delivery.
How does the lack of library facilities impact the participants?
The study reveals that the absence of hospital libraries and poor ICT facilities serve as significant barriers, forcing workers to rely on limited resources and personal knowledge, which negatively impacts their ability to stay updated.
Why does the research utilize Wilson’s model of information seeking?
Wilson’s model is used because it provides an empirical framework to understand the factors that drive an individual's information search, helping to explain why health workers search for information and the barriers they encounter in the process.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, Health information seeking behavior of rural health workers, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/505901
