Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
This research examines social media and utilization of information on contagious diseases by medical students of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba. The research adopts survey design to investigate a sample of 321 medical students of ABSU Teaching Hospital who were registered undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session. Because the number of the students was adequate and manageable, the research adopted the census sampling technique. Structured and validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient value of 0.81 was used to gather data for the study. Results reveal that the medical students received and made use of information on contagious diseases from six social media platforms covering causes, pattern of spread, type of people affected, effects, drug administration and strategy to avoid infection. Economic, social, infrastructural and environmental challenges impeded receipt and use of information by the students. Provision of functional computer sets with adequate cyber network in the hospital library is one of the recommendations that could ameliorate the challenges. The paper concludes that since receipt and utilization of information on contagious diseases is quick and accurate through social media platforms, quality internet services should be sustained in the medical library.