Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2022
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This study dwelt on the information needs by People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus /Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (PLWH/A) in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku-Awka. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions were drawn from the three purposes that guided the study. The population consists of 3,264 registered Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV) patients no AIDS patient. Sample size comprises of 50 HIV patients using purposeful sampling technique. Questionnaires were used as instruments for data collection. These research questions were analyzed using mean of 2.5. The findings indicated the areas of information needs of PLWH/A in COOUTH which include; nutrition, Human Right, counseling and therapies, antiretroviral medications, drug availability and affordability, educational awareness, care and support, vocational training, Seminars and workshops. The findings showed that stigma, discrimination, absence of radio and television programmes in local language are the challenges that affects information needs . The solutions to these challenges faced by PLWH/A in satisfying their information needs include adequate use of medical library , frequent organization of radio programmes on HIV/AIDS in local languages, installation of televisions in antiretroviral medical centre, acquisition of relevant information materials, implementation and promotion of Human Right, drug availability and affordability. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that radios and televisions should be installed as well as presentations done in local language, education awareness programmes acquisition of relevant information materials in the medical library to enhance the information needs by PLWH/A for a healthy living.