Information seeking behaviour health professionals in public health facilities in Garissa County, Kenya
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Date
2016-11
Authors
Langat, Kipkoech Milton
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
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 professionals who have vital roles in achieving
health goals of a given country. However, in Kenya, little effort have been made in
understanding the information seeking behaviour of health professionals compared to
effort made towards developing new information technologies. Therefore, the general
objective of this study was to assess information seeking behaviour among health
professionals in public health facilities in Garissa County. The specific objectives
included: to establish the socio-demographic characteristics influencing information
seeking behaviour of health professionals in Garissa County; to determine facility
factors influencing information seeking behaviour of health professionals in Garissa
County; to establish technological factors influencing information seeking behaviour
of health professionals in Garissa County; to determine information needs of health
professionals in Garissa County. The study used a cross-sectional study design
employing mixed methods of data collection. Stratified sampling was used to select a
study sample of 222 health professionals to participate in the study while purposive
sampling was used to select participants for Key Informant Interviews and Focus
group discussions. Descriptive and multinomial logistical regression was used to
analyze quantitative data using SPSS version 20 while thematic analysis was used to
analyze qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews and Focus group discussions.
Results showed that mority of health professionals (86%) sought information only
when and work experience (P=0.013) had a statistically significant relationship with
information seeking behaviour. Among the facility factors, workload (P=0.000), and
information sharing (P=0.0000) had a statistically significant relationship with
information seeking behaviour. Among technological factors, computer proficiency
(P=0.000), ability to search information from internet (P=0.000, ability to analyze and
interpret digital data (P=0.000) and internet connectivity (P=0.001) had a a
statistically significant relationship with information seeking behaviour. In
conclusion, there is insufficient effort made to understand information behaviour and
address information needs of health professionals in Garissa County. There is need for
both national and county governments (including other key stakeholders) to develop
supportive policies and programs which encourage a culture for improved information
seeking behaviour among health professionals by promoting initiatives which address
the key issues influencing information seeking behaviour.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the requirement for the a ward of the Degree of Masters of Science in health information management in the School of Public Health of Kenyatta University