Health information needs of rural women in ilorin east local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the health information needs of the rural women in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The study used primary data. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was use to select respondents for the study. A total number of eighty rural women were selected for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and Likert type rating scale. The result of the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 37.7 years, their average income was 27,637.50 Naira. The result revealed that majority (98.8 %) of respondents’ source of health information were radio/television (98.8%), Neighbors and friends (92.5%), drug hawkers (90.0%), family members (77.5%), local chemist shops (75.3%) and Doctors/Nurses (67.5%). The common health challenges in the study area are typhoid fever (40.0%), malaria (43.8%) and (28.8%) miscarriages. Also, the result identified that First aid treatment with a mean score (2.21), Drug/Pharmaceutical care information (2.20) and infant’s health care (2.10) were areas where the respondents highly needs health information. The result also reveals that Illiteracy (2.51) and low level of income (2.08), communication barrier (1.93), poor electricity (1.91) and poor attitude of health personnel (1.91) were some of problems preventing rural women from getting health information. The study concluded that there is information need among rural women in the study area. The study therefore recommends that for government to achieve its vision of good health for all, there is need for targeted policies in the areas of health information needs of rural women and there should be provision of health facilities in the rural areas by the government and donor agencies.