The awareness and utilization levels of bibliotherapy by medical and library personnel in Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the awareness and utilization levels of bibliotherapy by medical and library personnel in Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Sample of 100 respondents was randomly selected from the hospital. Three complementary methods were used for collecting primary data – questionnaire, interview and direct observation. Data collected were categorized analyzed and presented in tables and percentages. It was found that the level of awareness about bibliotherapy in Yaba Psychiatric Hospital was fairly high. However, the level of utilization of bibliotherapeutic materials was very low. Some of the factors that hindered the use of bibliotherapy materials include inadequate knowledge of bibliotherapy, inaccessibility of relevant materials, and preference for chemotherapy. It is recommended that the management Board of Yaba Psychiatric Hospital should make specific annual allocation for developing and maintaining efficient and effective patient library services. Awareness and utilization levels of bibliotherapy should be increased through regular workshops, seminars, conferences and case studies presentations. It is also recommended that bibliotherapy should be introduced into the curriculum of medical and nursing schools in Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008 pp. 76-82