Health Information Transfer in Rural India: A Study from Kangra Valley of Western Himalayas

Abstract

ABSTRACT A comprehensive and informed approach to managing personal health and making sound medical decisions relies heavily on accurate, current health information. This vital knowledge is attainable through a diverse array of sources. The provision and accessibility of health information assume paramount importance in enhancing healthcare quality and outcomes. Within the Indian context, where 70% of the population resides in rural areas, a pressing demand for health information persists, compounded by formidable obstacles to accessing healthcare services. This study seeks to illuminate the impediments and sources obstructing the flow and retrieval of health information within rural domains. Emphasis is placed on investigating the information-seeking behaviors, health-related needs, challenges, and comprehension of both rural inhabitants and healthcare institutions. Furthermore, the research delves into the interplay between traditional practices and conventional medical approaches, scrutinizing the role of folk medicine alongside established medical modalities. The study specifically focuses on the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, chosen as a representative locale to decipher the structure, dynamics, and hurdles intrinsic to these systems. To assess the channels of information dissemination and access, a dual-pronged survey strategy was employed. The initial survey targeted health information providers and traditional healers, while the subsequent survey encompassed a randomized sampling of rural communities. Findings underscore the profound significance of both traditional healers and modern healthcare establishments in facilitating the distribution of high-caliber medical insights. Revelations highlight a substantial knowledge gap among rural residents concerning health matters, exacerbated by a pronounced disparity between population coverage and actual visits to healthcare centers. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of libraries to function as information hubs, mirroring health organizations in enhancing the diffusion of health information. By aligning with healthcare entities, libraries emerge as potent agents of bolstered public awareness, informed decision-making, and the empowerment of individuals in assuming control over their health and well-being.