An assessment of health information literacy among women in rural Lake Zone, Tanzania

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110489
Author(s):  
Mohamed Kassim ◽  
Faraja Ndumbaro
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Normal Distribution Curve ◽  
Lake Zone ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

This article presents the results from a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was conducted to assess the health information literacy skills of women of childbearing age in rural Lake Zone, Tanzania. A total of 349 women were involved in the study. The study found that most rural women in the study area have low levels of health information literacy. The aggregate scores of health information literacy indicate a mean of 42.86% with a normal distribution curve, and estimated close-to-zero skewness (0.172) and kurtosis (−0.297) measures. The causal relationships between health information literacy and women’s socio-demographic factors indicate a positive and statistically significant effect ( p < .01) of women’s level of education, income, ownership of means of communication and access to health facilities on their level of health information literacy. The women’s inadequate ability to access, read, understand, appraise and use health information is a barrier to their acquisition of relevant health information. Enhancing the health information literacy skills of these women is most likely to improve their health outcomes.

scholarly journals Health Information Literacy among Malaria Patients in Ghana: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 in Focus

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
Dominic Agyei Dankwah ◽  
George Clifford Yamson
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Delivery ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Health Delivery System

Background: This cross-sectional survey aimed to ascertain the knowledge of malaria patients in determining the nature and extent of health information needed; accessing the needed health information effectively and efficiently; evaluating such health information and its sources critically in order to use the information. Methods/Results: A self-reported questionnaire was given to 155 participants in selected “drug stores” in Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. Positive relationships were found between respondents whose decision to purchase malaria drugs was based on laboratory tests and high health information literacy skills. Low knowledge of libraries among the respondents was recorded even though there was no significant difference between the health information literacy of those who see the library as a source of health information and those who do not. Conclusion: There is a need to involve libraries in the health delivery system in order to help extend literacy training/skills to the citizenry.

scholarly journals 21st Century Skills for Sustainable Education: Prediction Level of Teachers’ Information Literacy Skills on Their Digital Literacy Skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-101
Author(s):  
Seda Gündüzalp
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The current digital environment offers a unique access opportunity to information, tools, and sources for teachers to educate and teach using digital. It is vital for teachers, who have important roles to raise future generations, to have information literacy and digital literacy skills. It is essential that teachers who educate individuals raised with a technology called the Z generation to have both, information literacy and digital literacy skills. Within this context, the present study aims to define the relationship between information literacy skills and digital literacy skills of teachers in the age of digitalization, in which the transformation has been experienced in the education sector. A cross-sectional survey was used within this study, which was prepared according to the quantitative research paradigm. The research includes random and disproportionate cluster sampling methods and focuses on teachers who worked in a preschool, or in primary, secondary and high schools in the Eastern and Southeast Anatolia Regions in the 2018–2019 academic year. Structural equation modeling was used to determine to what extent teachers’ information literacy skills predict their digital literacy skills. The relationship between the teachers’ information literacy and digital literacy skills was calculated using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and the frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation values of the data collected from teachers through scales were calculated. As a result of the analysis, one of the results is that the teachers’ information literacy skills affect their digital literacy skills positively.

Correlatives of business students’ perceived information literacy self-efficacy in the digital information environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110142
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asif Naveed ◽  
Madiha Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

Self-efficacy toward information literacy is and has been demonstrated as an essential and fundamental key for academic performance and lifelong learning of students at all levels. This research reported the results of a cross-sectional survey carried out to investigate the correlatives of information literacy self-efficacy among business students at the University of Management and Technology, Lahore. The questionnaire contained an Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale, which along with sociodemographic and academic variables was utilized for collecting data from 350 students. The survey participants were recruited through a convenient sampling procedure due to accessibility issues and time limitations. The data were analyzed by applying both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. The results revealed that the business students had high self-efficacy for basic information literacy skills and low self-efficacy for advanced-level information literacy skills. Age, study program, study stage, proficiency for computer, and English language appeared to be the correlatives of students’ information literacy self-efficacy. The pragmatic insights generated in this research might be used as a guide by university librarians, especially those who are engaged in information literacy instructions for designing a need-based and student-centered curriculum for information literacy instruction programs.

Health Information Literacy Influences Access to Network Knowledge for Patients with Permanent Cystostomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-365
Author(s):  
Wenjuan Xu ◽  
Qingquan Bi ◽  
Qi Wei ◽  
Lili Wu ◽  
Zhuxin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
General Information ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference

Objective: The patients with permanent cystostomy have demand of relevant health information from network. The level of health information literacy refers the ability of acquiring and using health information. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of health information literacy in patients with permanent cystostomy, and to explore its influence on network knowledge acquisition ability. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 200 patients with permanent cystostomy was conducted, using the general information questionnaire, the health information literacy self-rating questionnaire, and the network knowledge acquisition questionnaire. Results: Patients with permanent cystostomy who had health information literacy accounted for 33.5%, of which the having rate of health information application was the lowest (6.7%). The having rate of health information literacy for patients living in cities, educational level in high school, and duration of disease more than 5 years was higher than other patients (both P < 0.05). The professional medical websites was the main search source for patients with health information literacy, and the health contents mainly included treatment plan, postoperative complications and drug use, of which 62.7% of the patients took the attitude of questioning the network information again. Patients without health information literacy mainly searched for profit-making commercial websites, and the main health contents included dietary guidance, exercise training, and medical hospitals, 30.1% of which took a doubt attitude toward online information. The difference in trust attitude toward network knowledge between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The level of health information literacy of patients with permanent cystostomy is low. The individualized training and guidance should be carried out so as to improve the ability of acquiring knowledge on the internet and improve the execution of medical decision.

scholarly journals Health Information behaviour during COVID-19 outbreak among Egyptian library and information science undergraduate students

2020 ◽  
pp. 026666692097618
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shehata
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

Health information shared on the Internet has the potential to improve people’s quality of life. However, the level of health information literacy and informational skills determines the individuals’ ability to obtain credible health information useful for them. This study investigates the Egyptian LIS undergraduates’ health information behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has adopted a quantitative approach using a questionnaire to explore library and information science undergraduates’ health information behaviour. A sample of 161 students answered a questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS software. The study results show that official health websites, social media, and family and friends are the primary sources for health information for the participants. The findings also revealed that the sample has adequate health information skills, though many of the participants still need to raise their information literacy skills. Information credibility and personal beliefs were found to affect the participants’ decision to share health information on the Internet. One of the limitations of the study is that the sample selected in this study was LIS students who are trained to find reliable information as part of their education. Findings may be different for the “average” student. Furthermore, the questionnaire was distributed in one university, which means that the results cannot be generalised in other LIS departments using different courses. Therefore, more studies need to be conducted in other LIS departments with different course plans as they may produce different results. This study explores the health information behaviour of LIS undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study results may help develop the course plan in many LIS departments in Egypt and the Middle East, which would help improve the students’ health information literacy.

scholarly journals Students' Experiences of Seeking Web-Based Animal Health Information at the Ontario Veterinary College: Exploratory Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanette Lai ◽  
Deep Khosa ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton ◽  
Cate E Dewey
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

BACKGROUND Although searching for health information on the internet has offered clear benefits of rapid access to information for seekers such as patients, medical practitioners, and students, detrimental effects on seekers’ experiences have also been documented. Health information overload is one such side effect, where an information seeker receives excessive volumes of potentially useful health-related messages that cannot be processed in a timely manner. This phenomenon has been documented among medical professionals, with consequences that include impacts on patient care. Presently, the use of the internet for health-related information, and particularly animal health information, in veterinary students has received far less research attention. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore veterinary students’ internet search experiences to understand how students perceived the nature of Web-based information and how these perceptions influence their information management. METHODS For this qualitative exploratory study, 5 separate focus groups and a single interview were conducted between June and October 2016 with a sample of 21 veterinary students in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts demonstrated one overarching theme, <italic>The Overwhelming Nature of the Internet</italic>, depicted by two subthemes: <italic>Volume and Type of Web-based Health Information</italic> and <italic>Processing, Managing, and Evaluating Information</italic>. CONCLUSIONS Integrating electronic health information literacy training into human health sciences students’ training has shown to have positive effects on information management skills. Given a recent Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges report that considers health literacy as a professional competency, results of this study point to a direction for future research and for institutions to contemplate integrating information literacy skills in veterinary curricula. Specifically, we propose that the information literacy skills should include knowledge about access, retrieval, evaluation, and timely application of Web-based information.

scholarly journals Student Health Information Literacy Against Pandemi Covid-19 (Study for Students FISIP, University of Bengkulu

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-295
Author(s):  
Fransiska Timoria Samosir ◽  
Alex Alex Abdu Chalik ◽  
Rosi L. Vini Siregar
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

Background: Health is becoming important today, especially during a pandemi situation. Everyone needs to take care of their health to avoid Covid-19. There are many information that students can use in maintaining their health from the internet. This is the basis for researchers to see student health information literacy. Research objectives: to determine the health information literacy of students from Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu and see the relationship between gender and study program with the dimensions of health information literacy. Research Methods:  This study uses quantitative research using sample of 95 students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu. The determination of the sample is based on the stratified sampling. Finding: Respondents already have health information literacy, especially information on Covid-19. The majority of respondents have an interest in finding information about Covid-19. Respondents already have health information literacy skills in the aspects of identifying, searching for, finding, and using the Covid-19 information they find. Female respondents have more health information literacy than men. In this type of education, Journalism study program students have information literacy compared to other study programs, especially in finding, evaluating and using Covid-19’s information. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu have health information literacy skills in seeking information on Covid-19 during the pandemi season.  

Digital information literacy skills of Pakistani librarians: exploring supply-demand mismatches, adoption strategies and acquisition barriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-189
Author(s):  
Asad Khan
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aimed to examine the current and needed levels of the digital information literacy (DIL) skills of Pakistani librarians and further explored the strategies of and barriers to its acquisition and/or enhancement. Design/methodology/approach Using the quantitative approach, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. A convenience sample of Pakistani university librarians was recruited. Out of 225 distributed questionnaires, only 180 surveys were returned, a response rate of 80%. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyzes. Findings The present status of DIL skills was found low and there is a high demand for its acquisition. The results also explored that the present level of DIL skills is not matching with its required level and thus training is needed. Further, strategies adopted for its attainment were identified including training programs, seminars and social media. Additionally, barriers in the attainment of DIL skills were also established including librarians’ lack of interest, poor internet facilities, absence of users’ demand, no training programs and lack of collaboration between the faculty and librarians. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to librarians serving in three different universities of Pakistan. The findings of this study may motivate librarians toward the adoption of digital innovations. This study also informs librarians to recognize gaps in their DIL skills and should attempt to diminish it using diverse strategies. The results also inform the concerned authorities about the barriers faced by librarians in the acquisition of DIL skills and can plan for training programs. Additionally, LIS curriculum should be revised to incorporate topics related to the learning of innovative digital skills. Finally, results motivate librarians to attain DIL skills that possibly augment their performance. Originality/value This study is the first attempt in Pakistan that examined supply-demand mismatches, adoption strategies and acquisition barriers in the context of librarians’ DIL skills serving in the university libraries of Peshawar. As the current status of DIL skills of Pakistani librarians was found low, thus university authorities should organize professional development programs for librarians to acquire and/or enhance the DIL skills.

scholarly journals Students' Experiences of Seeking Web-Based Animal Health Information at the Ontario Veterinary College: Exploratory Qualitative Study

10.2196/13795 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e13795
Author(s):  
Nanette Lai ◽  
Deep Khosa ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton ◽  
Cate E Dewey
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

Background Although searching for health information on the internet has offered clear benefits of rapid access to information for seekers such as patients, medical practitioners, and students, detrimental effects on seekers’ experiences have also been documented. Health information overload is one such side effect, where an information seeker receives excessive volumes of potentially useful health-related messages that cannot be processed in a timely manner. This phenomenon has been documented among medical professionals, with consequences that include impacts on patient care. Presently, the use of the internet for health-related information, and particularly animal health information, in veterinary students has received far less research attention. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore veterinary students’ internet search experiences to understand how students perceived the nature of Web-based information and how these perceptions influence their information management. Methods For this qualitative exploratory study, 5 separate focus groups and a single interview were conducted between June and October 2016 with a sample of 21 veterinary students in Ontario, Canada. Results Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts demonstrated one overarching theme, The Overwhelming Nature of the Internet, depicted by two subthemes: Volume and Type of Web-based Health Information and Processing, Managing, and Evaluating Information. Conclusions Integrating electronic health information literacy training into human health sciences students’ training has shown to have positive effects on information management skills. Given a recent Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges report that considers health literacy as a professional competency, results of this study point to a direction for future research and for institutions to contemplate integrating information literacy skills in veterinary curricula. Specifically, we propose that the information literacy skills should include knowledge about access, retrieval, evaluation, and timely application of Web-based information.

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