Information Needs and Seeking Patterns of Rural Dwellers on COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the information needs and seeking patterns of rural
dwellers on COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Anchored on the Health Belief Model (HBM), the
researchers adopted survey research design with the questionnaire used as the research instrument
for data collection. Data collected were analysed using a descriptive method, while Multivariate
Frequency Distribution Tables and SPSS were the statistical tools used for data analysis. Findings
revealed that hand washing, social distancing, use of face-mask, use of hand sanitiser constituted
the major information needs of the rural dwellers on COVID-19, compared to other areas like
origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, rate of infection and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,
causes of COVID-19 pandemic, among others. Finding also revealed in terms of the sources most
available to the rural dwellers, it was the traditional media; in term of the one mostly used as
official sources by government in reaching the rural areas, it was the mass media; while in terms
of the one most trusted by the rural dwellers, it was the community health experts, followed by
the mass media. The researchers concluded that information is very vital in the fight against
disease outbreak and during the pandemic. Giving priority to all areas of information needs;
paying attention also to official sources of information; government’s better priority to the use of
traditional media, among others were, therefore, recommended in the study.