Information Seeking Behaviour Among Health Professionals In Public Health Facilities In Garissa County, Kenya

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.