Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2022
Abstract
The research investigated users’ access to health information for sustainable development during the Covid 19 era in Professor Kenneth Dike E-central Library, Awka, Anambra state. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The sample population comprised of 100 users of Professor Kenneth Dike E-central Library through the use of accidental sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for collection of data. The instrument was subjected to face validation and pilot test using Cronbach Alpha which gave a reliability coefficient value of 0.97. Data collected from the study were analyzed using mean scores. The study found that health information sought for by the users of Professor Kenneth Dike E-central Library during the Covid 19 pandemic in Anambra state are Information on risks of the Covid 19, Covid 19 drug information, and information on the risk for being infected with Covid 19. All the items on health information literacies such as communicative skills on sharing health information, critical evaluation skills to determine the authenticity of health information, and basic health information searching skills, etc were not provided for the users in Anambra state. The extent of user accessibility of the health information literacies during Covid 19 era in Anambra state was high on Covid 19 test centers, Covid 19 virus signs and symptoms, and information on the risk for being infected with the Covid 19. Users’ access to health information literacy has led to sustainable development during Covid 19 era in Anambra state by means of restricting the users’ physical social interaction in their environment, enabled them to acquire online skills for their education, and do more of online transaction. The challenges of user access to health information literacy for sustainable development during Covid 19 era are inadequate funding, insufficiency of e-learning infrastructure, and poor librarians’ attitude. The study concluded that the Covid 19 era has exposed the deficiencies of public library in their task of providing health information literacy to the library for sustainable development during Covid 19 era. The recommendations were that there should be adequate funding for the library to train librarians on new ways of providing health information literacy to users