CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

                        Background to the study

Everybody needs information, literate or illiterate needs information, from the president of a nation to a farmer in the village or ordinary street person. Information is very vital and in these modern information overload society as it is considered as the first factor of production. In recent times information has become a vital and essential tool that no category of people can easily ignore. Human beings are basically active and goal-oriented and willing to get information about themselves and the world around them (Folitse, Osei, Dzandu & Obeng-Koranteng, 2016).

According to Case (2007), noticing a change in the weather, deciding to visit another city, finding out about travel schedules, choosing a departure date, and buying an airline ticket are examples of a range of activities known as “information behaviour.” These include encountering, needing, finding, choosing, and using information. Research in information needs and seeking behaviour has occupied a niche at the intersection of psychology, management, communication and information science (Case, 2007; Reddy, Krishnamurthy & Asundi, 2018). Adequate knowledge about the information needs of users is important for organisations to re-orient their products, services and activities to be in synchrony with the information-seeking behaviour of their clients. For health organisations to provide any meaningful service, it is pertinent that the users’ information-seeking behaviour to be taken into consideration.

The provision of Consumer Health Information (CHI) to the general public is recognized politically and economically as being important. It enables the public to take responsibility for

maintaining their health and to make informed decisions regarding their health care. There are arrays of health information sources available in print and non-print format. These information services are just one way of providing consumer health information. The varieties of services include telephone helplines, websites and public education for specific health problems (King, 2001). Health centres and hospitals have leaflets available on coping with illnesses and health promotion. In many countries, the citizens subscribe to database and website developed to help educate people on health conditions, symptoms and first aid knowledge. Libraries are traditionally seen as sources for information most especially the Public and Medical libraries provide their users with health literacy (Gillaspy, 2000).