Health information source use in rural communities

What is it about?

Objectives The study assessed sources and challenges concerning health information access and use among residents of five rural communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods Descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were elicited from forty respondents through focus group discussions (FGD). Elicited data were thematically analysed. Results Several informal and primary information sources were often used. Residents used the radio to access health information, and they also visited hospitals/health centres, asked doctors, participated in health sensitisation programmes and consulted traditional herbalists. However, the barriers included financial problems, infrastructure problems (bad road network, unreliable electricity supplies), living far from health centres and finding suitable health information in their own language. These are individual and systemic/structural challenges. Discussion The focus group participants were aware of the importance of reliable health information sources, but often had to use a mixture of sources. Traditional herbalists were valued sources (more available and affordable). Health literacy problems concern education and language. Conclusions Service provision could be improved to make health information more efficient and effective for rural communities, by building on what works (e.g. health sensitisation programmes, radio programmes providing health education) and providing more multi-lingual services. The study also confirmed the importance of evaluating traditional herbal medicine.

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Why is it important?

As rural community residents' access and use health information from informal sources, and traditional herbalists, more evaluation of indigenous medical knowledge is necessary. • As rural residents may not be able to afford professional health services, health sensitisation programmes and radio programmes providing health education are important. • Primary health care facilities should regularly organise health information literacy programmes in local languages. • Services provided by medical libraries should take account of health literacy needs