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INFORMATION LITERACY FOR HEALTHY LIVING IN NIGERIA

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 EBONYI
JOURNAL OF LIBRARY
AND
INFORMATION SCIENCE
ISSN 2488 – 894X

Volume 5, Number 2, December, 2018.

EBONYI JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE (ISSN 2488 – 894X)
is a scholarly peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Ebonyi State chapter of
the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), with secretariat in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Amanze O. Unagha
Department of Library and Information Science,
Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

Deputy Editors

Dr. Romanus O. Attama Dr. Okanlowon O. Adediji

Polytechnic Librarian, University Librarian,
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo,
Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Managing Editor
Dr. Kingsley N. Igwe
Department of Library and Information Science,
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana,
Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: ebonyijolis@yahoo.com

Dr. Chuma O. Nnadozie (Associate Editor)

Department of Library and Information Science,
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

Dr. Moses C. Nwosu (Associate Editor)

Department of Library and Information Science,
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Nigeria.

Dr. (Mrs.). Flora I. Okogwu (Associate Editor)

Ebonyi State University Library, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Ejike U. Igwebuike (Business Editor)

Federal University Library, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Richard U. Inya (Secretary)

Federal University Library, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
CONSULTING EDITORS AND REVIEWERS

Prof. A.N. Uhegbu Dr. A.O. Ahmed

Department of Library and Information Department of Library and Information
Science, Abia State University Uturu, Technology, Federal University of
Nigeria. Technology, Minna, Nigeria.

Prof. Moses M. Naga Dr. Saturday U. Omeluzor

Department of Library and Information University Librarian,
Science, North Eastern Hill University Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia
Shillong, State of Meghalaya, India State, Nigeria

Prof. R.U. Ononogbo Dr. Oliver C. Ugocha

Department of Library and Information Department of Library and Information
Science, Michael Okpara University of Science, Abia State University, Uturu,
Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Nigeria.

Prof. Udo Nwokocha Dr. S.A. Sadiku

University Librarian, Usmanu Danfodiyo University,
Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria. Sokoto, Nigeria

Prof. A.O. Issa L.O. Nwali

Department of Library and Information Former University Librarian,
Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki,
Nigeria. Nigeria

Dr. Umunna N. Opara Dr. C.P. Uzuegbu

Department of Library and Information Department of Library and Information
Science, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Science, North Eastern Hill University,
Owerri, Nigeria Shillong, Meghalaya, India

For enquiries, contact the Managing Editor:

C/o. Dr. Kingsley N. Igwe
Department of Library and Information Science,
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo,
Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Telephone: +234 (0) 8034157776; 08080471231
Email: ebonyijolis@yahoo.com; knigwe@yahoo.com.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Editorial Board
Editorial
Table of Contents

Extent of Information Provision by Government, Its Agencies and Non–

Governmental Organization for Economic Empowerment of Rural
Women in Niger State, Nigeria
- Professor R.E. OZIOKO; Abubakar Ndasaliu USMAN, PhD 257

Emerging Trends of Study Behaviour among students of Bells

University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
- Kuburat Oluwakemi TOWOLAWI, Ph.D 273

User-Centred Approach to Collection Assessment in Selected

Polytechnic Libraries in South West and North Central Nigeria
- Jerry Arthur IJIEBOR 284

Assessment of Information Communication Technology Literacy Skills

of Engineering Undergraduate Students in Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma, Nigeria
- Oluwatoyin Oyeyemi OBINYAN; Patience O. AGBALE 298

Utilization of Library Resources and Services by Off-Campus Students

of Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
- Gloria U. ELONYE 313

User Education and the Use of Reference Resources by Undergraduate

Students in Benue State University Library, Makurdi, Nigeria
- Mary Ehi ADADU; Joseph LUGHLUGH 321

Scope of Library and Information Science Publications by Librarians in

South East Nigeria: A Ten Year Assessment
- Chinyere A. OKEZIE, PhD; Juliana O. AKIDI, PhD 333

Repositioning Colleges of Education Libraries for Sustainable

Educational Development in Nigeria
- Catherine Oluchi UMEBALI, PhD; Carl Nduka NWORU 344
Bibliometric Analysis of African Journal of Library, Archives and
Information Science From 2012-2015
- Mamman Mustapha MAHMUD; Ayuba Mohammed BELLO;
Stephen A. AJAYI 356

Information Literacy for Healthy Living in Nigeria

- Joseph Ahemba GBUUSHI; Mbalamen Susan IANNA 368

The Library as a Growing Organism: Exploring New Competencies and

Roles for Nigerian Cataloguers in the 21st Century
- Jerry Arthur IJIEBOR 378

Ethical Issues Confronting Information Professionals in the 21st Century:

A Nigerian Perspective
- Ugonna Vivian AILAKHU; Joy Chinenye KINGSLEY 393

Use of Information and Communications Technology in Libraries for

Service Delivery in the 21st Century: Trends, Challenges and Prospects
- Samuel IBENNE, PhD; Obinna Paul NWAKWUO 408

Corporate Social Responsibility Policies and Practices in Nigerian

Libraries
- Omonigho Angela ISRAEL 423

Reading Advocacy Efforts in Orphanage Homes: The Case of Selected

States in South-West Nigeria
- Oluwatosin O. OKUNOYE; Oluchi O. OKERE; Catherine O.
ODU-MOJOYINLOLA 434

Knowledge Sharing For Improved Clinical Practices Among Nurses In

Tertiary Health Institutions: The Case Of Aminu Kano Teaching
Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
- Musa Abdu AUYO, PhD 445

Resource Sharing Among Federal University Librariesin South-South

Nigeria
- Racheal Daniel AMA-ABASI; Martina Ekpenyong EKENG 455

Education for Library and Information Science in Nigerian Polytechnics:

The Case for Information and Knowledge Management and Innovative
Higher National Diploma Specializations
- Khadijat Y. SALAWU; Kingsley N. IGWE, PhD 464
 Information Literacy for Healthy Living in Nigeria

INFORMATION LITERACY FOR HEALTHY LIVING

IN NIGERIA

Joseph Ahemba GBUUSHI (CLN)

Mbalamen Susan IANNA
University Library and Information Services,
Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract
Generally, health is often referred to as wealth; people go extra miles to take care of their health
challenges. It is therefore important for each individual to have information on how to live a
healthy life. A person's ability to acquire health information is seen as an important means of
knowing how to take care of oneself. The paper covers the concept of information literacy, health
literacy as a sub-element of information literacy, direct and indirect consequences of low health
literacy, factors that inhibit health literacy such as usability of health forms and instructions,
cultural and linguistic competence, accessibility of the physical environment of health sciences;
limited English proficiency and inadequate use of local languages were discussed and improving
health literacy for informed consumption of health information was also discussed. The paper
concluded and recommended strategies that will ensure information literacy for healthy living.

Keywords
Information Literacy, Health Literacy, Health, Nigeria

Introduction
The desire of everyone is to live a healthy life; this cannot be achieved within a
short time or easily. As much as possible, it is significant for every individual to have
information regarding how to live a healthy life. The aptitude of a person to acquire
information related to health is regarded as a significant way of knowing how to take care
of oneself. The concept of being health literate as it has been used in health
communication and health sciences involves the extent to which people have the capacity
to acquire, process and as well have an understanding of the basic information and
services that are needed to make sound decisions on health issues. The focus therefore,
remains on the ability of a person to make health-related decisions regarding the
information that has been obtained.
There are four common factors affecting people’s health. They include genes,
life-style and social factors, allopathic drugs, and environmental factors (Jaini &
Lee,2015). Genes are inherited; they are normally transferred from parents to their
children physically and mentally. Health problems such as obesity, hypertension, peptic
ulcers, diabetes, and emotional instability are good examples of life-style; and social
factors are increased sedentary habits, long working hours, reduced rest hours, diet
containing highly processed food poor in fiber content and with a lot of artificial colors

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and flavors, increased anxiety and tensions related to education, career, and job
performance. These are some of the factors that are responsible for decreasing the health
status of our society at large. Factors of allopathic drugs include negative side effects and
excessive use of drugs which decrease the immunity level of our society at large. The
illegal taking of drugs is an open invitation to chronic ailments. People keep suppressing
their ailments, and keep working until their body finally gives up. Environmental factors
include increased pollution of air, water, and earth which contributes to the increase level
of many diseases. These cause a high level of asthma and other allergic complaints in
urban areas. Depleting ozone layer is a known factor in the increasing rate of skin
cancers. These prevailing circumstances make the study on information literacy for
healthy living an important aspect for consideration.

Concept of Information Literacy

Information literacy is very important, because it helps in checking and maintaining
the health of an individual. The concept of information literacy for a healthy living involves a
combination of information literacy and health literacy. To be information-literate, an
individual must be able to recognize when information is needed, access information on a
more effective basis, carries an effective evaluation of the information and its sources and
uses the information for relevant purposes. Also, the individual has the potentials to fully
understand the legal, economic and social issues surrounding the information that has been
gathered so as to use it legally and ethically. Information literacy has often focused on skills
related to seeking of information (Cai & Gut, 2018).
According to Becker (2018) information literacy is defined as a set of abilities
requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to
locate, evaluate, and use effective needed information. The ‘abilities’ of an individual is
complex and it depends on many factors, such as perception, empirical experiences,
education background and social context. The higher someone has the ability, the more
precise, faster, and accurate he/she gains the information. In contrary, if someone has the
lower ability, he/she gain little or even wrong information.
In another development, standards for information literacy issued by the
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL, one of the divisions in American
Library Association), indicates those abilities as the: ability to recognize information
needed, ability to access information, ability to evaluate information, ability to use the
information, and ability to understand issues of social economical information (ACRL,
2018). Firstly, the ability to recognize information needed is indicated if an individual
understands the problem he/she is facing. Individual will explore and evaluate the
problem and process the information needed. Secondly, the ability to access information
is shown if an individual can recognize the sources of information, including electronics
sources such as database and the Internet, understand strategies for searching and select
information. This ability includes ability to interact with others, communicate with
various characters, and understand values, norms, beliefs, and culture. Thirdly, the ability

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to evaluate information is analyzing information that is obtained by critical thinking.

Individual can decide which information is important, less and not important, and then
relate it to information obtained from other sources. Besides, individual can identify point
of view, bias information, basic assumptions, and assess information whether it is
accurate, reliable, and valid. Fourthly, the ability to use the information is related to the
way of organizing, processing, using, and disseminating information. Finally, the ability
to understand issues on social and economic information is related to information
privacy, intellectual property, plagiarism, royalties, and copyrights. Thus, health
information literacy and health literacy used interchangeably in this paper includes the
ability to find, understand and communicate health information and to assess it. It is also
defined as the ability to gain access to, understand, and use information in a legal ways to
promote and maintain good health.

Health Information Literacy as a Sub-element of Information Literacy

According to Bautista (2015), health information literacy involves the social and
cognitive skills which greatly determine the ability and motivation of a person to have
access to the basic health information that would improve and maintain proper healthcare.
There is a need for everyone to acquire health information, know where to find the
information, how to evaluate and apply the information in daily life in making health
decisions. Health is not merely the physical condition of an individual; it is related to
emotional and mental condition of an individual. Also, it is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
According to National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) (n.d), the term
‘health literacy’ means the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain,
communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services so as to
create health choices. Health literacy needs a complex group of reading, listening,
analytical, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to apply these skills to health
situations. For example, it includes the ability to understand instructions, on prescription
drug bottles, appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor's directions and
consent forms, and the ability to negotiate complex health care systems.
Health literacy refers to how well individuals can get the health information and
services that they need, and how well they understand them. Health literacy means the
ability of an individual to make proper decisions that emphasized on the use of the
information in the appropriate manner. It is the degree to which individuals have the
capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed
to make appropriate health decisions (Berkowsky & Czaja, 2018). According to Muhanga
and Malungo (2017), the concept of health literacy was started in the early 1970s and has
since been spread to other fields like in the information environments. The approach is
steadily moving away from the individualistic focus towards other perspectives like the
social perspective.

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However, health information literacy still remains a new concept to many people
that have undergone a sparse study. According to Eriksson-Backa, Stefan, Niemela,
&Maija-Leena (2012) some studies have used the concept in order to describe
information-seeking by students of medicine or health sciences. However, the
information related to health is not only encountered in certain particular settings.
Significantly, it implies that it is not an easy thing to cope with the kind of information
here from various sources and angles (Adeleke, Erinle, Ndana, Anamah, Ogundele, &
Aliyu, 2014). Nevertheless, in this scenario, there is no option but just to be health
information literate.
Stinson (2017) provides standard of ability measurement which contains the
following categories of people: novice, that individual does not have specific knowledge
on what is the information needed, the way of searching, processing and disseminating
information; advanced beginner, that individual does not have those knowledge but
he/she is able to do something right; competent, that individual has those knowledge, but
he/she does not always practices them; and proficient; that individual has those
knowledge and practice them; and expert, that he/she has those knowledge and totally
practice them. These abilities in health information literacy should be supported by
humanity values. The values determine whether people behave right or wrong, good or
bad. The development of the health information literacy is influenced mostly by an
individual characteristics, educational level, financial level and ability of
communicationof his/her relation to others.
Obstacles in information seeking behavior come from individual’s mind, such as
characteristics, level of education, social status, and economical level. Barriers could come
from the environment, such as poor facilities of access, and poor political and economic
conditions. Those aspects influence the relationship between individuals, as good
communication is able to provide information access. Nigerian is known for it’s densely
population; if individuals do not know others well, they do not trust each other, and then
they will find difficulties to get or share information (Ezika, Cross & Lewitt, 2018).
Studies that have been done show that mastering health information and being
health-literate is not an automatic process to everyone in the society; anyone intending to
be health-literate must take up the effort of wanting to acquire, learn and apply the health
information in its right context. It is also evident that there is inadequate health
information among those of old age, probably above sixty-five years. The middle-aged
people tend to have higher average of health literacy (Bautista, 2015). The old age
requires adequate health literacy because it has been found out that the inadequate health
literacy levels are associated with physical functions that are worse, and also mental
health complications.

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Direct and Indirect Consequence of Low Health Literacy

There are both direct and indirect consequences of low literacy. The direct effects
include non-compliance of medication errors. The indirect effects are harder to measure, but
may include insurance issues, accessibility to healthcare and poor health behaviour choices.
Given the complexity of the healthcare system, it is not surprising that low healthy literacy is
associated with poor health. Below are summaries of key findings on the relationship between
health literacy and health outcomes.
 Understanding of diseases and treatment: Studies show that people with low literacy
skill are more likely to have chronic health conditions and are less able to manage
them effectively. According to Danner (2011) they usually have poor understanding
of treatment, and low adherence to treatments regimens. Endurance, Ogbanga and
Jack (2014) study revealed that, people with low literacy tend to have more health
problems and lack the capacity to access health care facilities.
 High rates of hospitalization: Low health literacy skills are associated with
increase in preventable hospital visits and admissions. Studies have showed a
higher rate of hospitalization and use of emergency services among persons with
low health literacy skills
 Wrong use of healthcare services: Person with low health literacy skills make great
use of services designed to treat complications of diseases and less use of services
designed to prevent complications (Chesser, Woods, Smothers & Rogers, 2016)
 Use of preventive measures: Person with low literacy skills are more likely to skip
important preventive measures, such as mammograms, pap smears and flu shorts
(Chesser, Woods, Smothers & Rogers, 2016). Studies have also revealed that when
compared with the person with higher literacy skill, the person with low literacy skills
enter the health system only when they are sicker (Danner, 2011)

Factors that Inhibit Health Literacy

All said and done, there are always factors that have been hurdles to health literacy.
The populations most likely to experience low health literacy in Nigeria include; the adults,
people with less than senior secondary certificate, disadvantaged groups such as nomads,
housewives, migrant fishermen, and low income groups. However, the following factors
inhibit health literacy.
• Usability of health forms and instructions: Healthcare and public health systems
rely heavily on printed materials including; medical history forms, informed consent
forms, patients’ rights and responsibilities, test results, directions to the laboratory or
pharmacy, hospital discharge, homecare instructions, clinical research protocols and
announcements. These documents, especially forms, which contain blank spaces to
be filled, are often quite difficult to understand. Equally, legal documents and consent
forms relating to patients’ rights is often written in legal and medical terms.
Consequently, persons with low literacy may not be able to read, understand and fill

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these forms. Some as a sense of shame about their skill level and in order to hide their
reading or vocabulary and spelling difficulties may skip filling relevant forms to
maintain their dignity. Thus, failing to disclose vital or useful information needed to
address their health issues thereby making misdirecting prescriptions.
• Cultural and linguistic competence: Language in its many forms is a primary
transmitter of culture. Culture is often described as the combination of a body of
knowledge, belief or behaviour (Endurance, Ogbanga & Jack, 2014). It involves a
number of elements including personal identification, language, thoughts, customs,
beliefs, values and institutions that are often specific to ethnic, racial, religious,
geographic, or social groups. These elements influence beliefs and belief systems
surrounding health, healing, wellness, illness, diseases and health delivery services.
Cultural beliefs, values and preferences a person holds affects how he understands,
interprets, and responds to health information. Beliefs that affect health literacy
include, but not limited to, magic-religious, biomedical deterministic beliefs. In
Africa, Nigeria to be specific, magic-religious beliefs abound. This belief refers to
belief in supernatural forces, which inflict illness on humans, sometimes a
punishment for sins, in the form evil spirits or disease bearing foreign objects
(Chinenye & Emmanuel, 2018).Cultural beliefs and taboos attached to certain
diseases and their causes such as HIV/AIDS, fertility and family planning have had
negative effect on how persons with low literacy skills react to such health issues in
Africa (Endurance, Ogbanga & Jack, 2014). Since most people hold these beliefs, no
matter how literate they may be, unless proper and adequate enlightenment on causes
of diseases are carried out via health literacy programmes it will be difficult to change
these beliefs.
• Accessibility of the physical environment of health sciences: Settings, which have a
large number of signs and postings, have a high literacy demands. Maps, directions,
signs, schedules, and instructions are posted throughout healthcare facilities to help
consumers’ access services and information. However, many of these signs contain
unfamiliar phrases and symbols. These can be intimidating and overwhelming for
persons with limited health literacy. Too often confusing signs and postings create
more work for healthcare workers and causes embarrassment and confusion to
patients.
• Limited English proficiency and inadequate use of local languages: There is a
mismatch between the reading level of health information and the reading skills of
the public. For many people with limited English proficiency, the inability to
communicate in English is the primary barrier to accessing health information and
services. In Nigeria, apart from the three major languages; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba,
most of the other languages have not been used in translating the health information
in written forms. Limited English proficiency has been identified as a source of
shame and complicates the task of healthcare professionals who need to recognize
and respond to the needs of such patients (Danner, 2011)

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Improving Health Literacy for Informed Consumption of Health Information

Today, information literacy has taken a different dimension, and this has been
greatly influenced by the technological transformations that occur in the global world.
The digital era has given human beings more opportunities to be able to find information.
We cannot compare the old-styles of hand searching and the current use of the internet
that has greatly helped people to search for information (Bautista, 2015). Anyone who is
literate has the ability to explore the technology for the purpose of locating information in
a quicker and faster way. However, technology has made us lazy thereby losing some
basic information skills. In addition, the rise in the use of internet had led to the
production of patients that are informed. Through the internet, people can do research on
their conditions, as well as signs and symptoms (Adeleke et al, 2014). Through this, they
get to know the information concerning their health conditions so that they can take
necessary steps depending on the information they have acquired. The only danger that
may occur here is when people misinterpret the information they have gained from the
internet (Bautista, 2015). It is because of this that it was mentioned earlier that
information literacy for a healthy living involves the application of information gained
from a legal and ethical perspective.
Being an informed consumer of health information requires more than the ability
to read and write. International Society for Quality in Health Care (2016) noted that,
healthcare systems are increasingly characterized by technological sophistication and
complexity. These complex demands of modern health systems do not match the
knowledge and skills of people. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies for
developing knowledge and improving health literacy. These strategies include: use of
simple language. An important tool for improving health literacy is the use of simple
language. Clear language is a strategy to make written and oral information easier to
understand. It is a communication that users can understand the first time they read it or
hear it. According to McMurray and Clendon (2010) a plain language document is one in
which people can find what they need, understand what they find and act appropriately on
it. Key elements of plain language include:
 Organize information so that the most important points come first.
 Use of active voice
 Use plain language and define technical terms.
 Use short documents that present "bottom line" information through step-by-step
instructions and visual cues that highlight the most important information.
 Breaking complex information into understandable pieces (for example, making
scientific and medical information easier to understand) (McMurray & Clendon,
2010).
Packaging information with illustrations, avoiding terminology and encouraging patient
questions will go a long way in improving health behaviors among people with low
health literacy. A language that is clear to one set of readers may not be clear to others.

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This leads to the need for the use of illustrations such as pictures, charts, and tables
among others to deliver information to local populations across the country.
Packaging information in the local language is an essential factor. About seventy-
five (75%) of Nigeria's population live in rural areas, the main languages of
communication in the country remain the local languages. The three major Nigerian
languages; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, have advanced spelling and can be used for health
materials. Translating health materials into these local languages can be of great help
because there are people who can read and write in these languages and who are not
necessarily literate in the English language. The use of interpreters can also be used. The
ability of health providers to identify people with potential literacy problems (and need
interpreters) is important in promoting health literacy.
Concerted efforts of stakeholders matter a lot. Primary responsibility for
improving health literacy rests with public health professionals, health and public health
systems, and adult educators. Their efforts should be directed towards:
• Improving access to health information, including technological access to
health information.
• Support the adult education system, including workplace literacy
programs, and vocational training, family literacy and distance learning
programs.
• Support all forms of literacy skills development for all literacy groups,
especially adult literacy groups.
• Include health literacy as a fundamental consideration in health policy and
program planning (for example, developing adult basic education lessons
on health content).
• Involve community organizations and the lay public in health literacy
efforts. This may take the form of a demonstration space for meetings, the
provision of health education materials, or the active development of
health literacy programs.
• Improve health research and its translation into practice.

Conclusion
In conclusion, knowledge is power and without which life will be meaningless,
therefore information literacy is vital to human beings, it is also very necessary for people
to live andstayhealthy. The time of ignorance is gone and it is a call to duty, individuals
must get out and become information-literate. As a matter of fact and necessity, for
humanity to live according to the original plan and purpose of God, efforts has to be
made to actualised a healthy life through desire, efforts, ability and the willingness to step
out of their comfort zones and be determined to acquire, practice and implement set out
rules that governor health literacy. Whatever one seeks, he or she will surely find,
therefore, the seeking ability is important.

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Therefore, for people to be on the safer side, everyone should make efforts to
implement the strategies and policies of having information literacy for the purpose of
being able to take control and monitor their health condition at a personal level.
Consequently, no single group or organization can address health literacy issues on its
own. Resourcefulness from all sectors must be linked and jointly supported to attain
reasonable developments in health literacy across all socioeconomic levels in Nigeria.
Therefore, information literacy is very significant especially in helping people to live
healthier lives.

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