Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Nurses at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port-Harcourt

Abstract

The study investigated information needs and seeking behaviour of nurses at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt. It adopted a descriptive research survey. The population of the study was 352 nurses at RSUTH from which a sample 100 was drawn. Self-structured questionnaire was used. The questionnaire included a four point likert scale (4-1). Out of 100 copies of the questionnaire administered, 94 were found valid for analysis. Data was analysed using simple percentages and mean score. The findings of the study showed that nurses needed information on drugs therapy, diagnostic, patients’ management and personal development. The factors that motivated their information seeking include working environment, patients’ care, professionalism and personal development. To satisfy their curiosity, they consulted different sources of information including colleagues, internet and textbook. It also showed that nurses had a negative perception about library and information services in meeting their information needs. Inadequate information resources in the library, inadequate information retrieval skills and closed access were some of the challenges they faced when seeking for their information needs. However, they suggested training of nurses and provision of standard library for the nurses. It was recommended among other things that the library should be well equipped to meet the information needs of the nurses also the nurses should acquire information retrieval skills to enable them access information resources on the internet and databases.

Keywords:  Information needs, Information seeking behaviour, Nurses, Rivers, Health information