COVID 19 INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIORS OF NIGERIAN HEALTH PRACTITIONALS A STUDY OF MEDICAL DOCTORS IN DELTA STATE
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Date
2020
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University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Abstract
This study is focused on exploring the COVID-19 information-seeking behavior of Nigerian health practitioners using medical doctors in Delta State Nigeria as a case study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Four objectives were laid down for the study and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. The findings revealed that the COVID-19 information needs of medical doctors in Delta state in the top rank are causes of COVID 19 virus, COVID-19 symptoms, COVID-19 test procedures, how COVID-19 spread/transmission levels, COVID-19 preventive measures, COVID-19 cures, age groups more vulnerable to COVID 19 attack, COVID 19 patients’ isolation/quarantine procedures among others. The study indicates that the sources of COVID-19 information for the respondents are the Internet, the World Health Organization (WHO) website, Daily newspapers, the Nigerian Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) website, Network News, and colleagues (medical doctors) from other states. The study revealed that the major use of COVID-19 information by respondents was to identify COVID-19 symptoms; know the isolation/quarantine procedure and practice for COVID-19 patients; know COVID-19 treatment procedures and know the drug dosage for the treatment of COVID-19 patients among other. It is clear from the study that the large amount of COVID-19 incredible information on the Internet; lack of access to library resources on COVID 19; poor power supply in Delta state and too many sources of COVID-19 information were the barriers to information COVID-19 information-seeking and access among the medical doctors in Delta state. Recommendations were put forward to enhance access to COVID-19 information by medical doctors in Delta State to prepare adequately for the treatment of any patient should the case arise.
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Library and Information Science Article
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Citation
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4153. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4153