Information Seeking Attitudes Research Articles

Personal health and nutrition information-seeking attitudes and behaviours of first year Canadian and United States veterinary students

Objective: To identify the primary sources of information first year Canadian and US veterinary students relied on for their personal health and nutrition information, and to explore their attitudes towards, and perceptions of, health information resources.
 Background: Though the animal health information-seeking behaviours (HISB) of veterinary students have been explored, research regarding personal HISB of this professional student population is limited.
 Evidentiary value: Participants were first year veterinary students (n=322) at the five Canadian veterinary schools and five randomly selected US veterinary schools. An online questionnaire was used to gather students’ demographic information, sources of health and nutrition information, and information-seeking attitudes and perceptions. This study may impact practice at the institutional level for veterinary educators.
 Methods: STATA 15.1© was used for quantitative analysis; involving multivariate logistic regression models, univariate analyses, and measures of frequency.
 Results: Results indicated high reliance on the Internet for personal health 213/322 (66%) and nutrition 196/322 (61%) information. While respondents revealed high trust levels in dietary recommendations from family doctors, 132/322 (41%) of students revealed their doctor did not provide any information on healthy diets. Students who reported the use of peer-reviewed journal articles for personal nutrition information were at greater odds of having confidence in knowing where to find nutrition information (Odds Ratio [OR] = 6.61, p<0.001).
 Conclusion: Participating students reported a high reliance on the Internet search engine Google, and a general lack of guidance from medical professionals regarding general health needs.
 Application: Veterinary schools should consider this information to enhance student information literacy skills, particularly to facilitate personal HISB, and consequently help in management of personal health throughout the growing demands of the programme.
 

The Relationship between Online and Offline Information-Seeking Behaviors for Healthy Nutrition.

In addition to preserving their health, young people can also play a role in providing information to wider society. Nutrition habits that have developed over the years at college have an impact on the foundation of a lifelong lifestyle. Our aim was to identify university students’ online and offline information-seeking attitudes related to healthy nutrition and create a new theoretical concept. Participants were university students (n = 612), and the self-administered, paper-based questionnaires were sent out to nine Hungarian universities. Both descriptive and multivariate statistical procedures were used in the analysis. Online and offline information sources were categorized. In relation to university students’ information-seeking competence, the component of electronic health literacy was determined. In analyzing attitudes, the components of acceptance of, incentive for, and rejection of or ambivalence towards healthy nutrition were identified. The information-seeking categories related to the stages of university students’ conscious transition to healthy nutrition were also identified. University students’ competences related to electronic health literacy are essentially favorable. This target group accepts healthy nutrition and tries to recommend it to others, too. However, a rejecting or ambivalent attitude could also be identified. Online and offline sources of information accompany university students’ transition of the relevant stages of changes. The theoretical concept that we developed can contribute to bridging gaps in the interrelatedness of diverse information sources and healthy nutrition.

Australian men’s fertility information seeking attitudes and behaviour: A qualitative investigation

ObjectiveMost women and men want and expect to have children but increasing maternal and paternal ages reduce their ability to achieve this. Most research relating to childbearing has focused on women. The aim of this study was to explore reproductive-aged men’s fertility information-seeking attitudes and behaviours. MethodsFocus group discussions were conducted with younger (18–30 years, 3 groups) and older (31–45 years, 3 groups) men, residing in urban, peri-urban or rural settings in Victoria, Australia. The topics covered included men’s fatherhood aspirations and intentions, and their attitudes and behaviours relating to seeking information about fertility. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed, and transcripts analyzed thematically. ResultsSix focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 39 participants. Four key themes were identified: 1. ‘No need for fertility-related information’; 2. ‘Knowledge and awareness of fertility’; 3. ‘Fertility is women’s business’; and 4. ‘Fertility and manhood’. Fertility and fertility information seeking was perceived by many participants as women’s domain. While men did not seek information about fertility unless they experienced fertility difficulties, they reported learning about fertility through the lived experiences of others, predominantly family and friends who experienced infertility. ConclusionFertility-related health promotion initiatives and reproductive health information targeting men are needed to encourage men to be active participants in reproductive decision making to optimize the chance of both women and men achieving their parenthood goals. Narrative health messages may be a successful way to convey fertility information to men.

“We Feel Connected… and Like We Belong”: A Parent-Led, Staff-Supported Model of Family Engagement in Early Childhood

Although researchers and practitioners have acknowledged that family engagement in children’s schooling occurs in many forms, most studies and program efforts continue to focus primarily on school-based participation, or the school-to-home link. Embedded within this notion of family-school partnership is the reification of a power differential between teachers (the experts) and parents (the learners) that assumes if parents only apply themselves to learn the socialization practices of the schools, their children’s outcomes will improve. However, this approach does not recognize that for many low-income, ethnic minority and immigrant families, sociocultural and language differences between families and educators make this school-to-home flow of information and influence fraught. Cultural misconceptions and hierarchical power structures often preclude educators from accessing potentially powerful information about home-based practices and routines, families’ experiential knowledge, and other aspects of children’s out-of-school lives. Such information-seeking attitudes and practices could form the basis of engaging and meaningful family engagement programming, as well as translate into culturally-sustaining curriculum that reflects children’s everyday lives in the classroom. By disrupting the existing power structure, seeking to cross cultural boundaries, and framing family engagement as emphasizing information flowing from the home to the school, Head Start staff and parent leaders, as illustrated in the description of this pilot program, made a shift in their expectations for how families can contribute to their children’s school readiness and success. They sought to build a culturally inclusive and welcoming environment for all. This paper will describe their work together for the benefit of other early childhood practitioners who seek alternative ways to engage with families.

A simulated patient study to evaluate community pharmacist assessment, management and advice giving to patients with asthma

BackgroundResearch has shown that there is an increase in the global prevalence of asthma. Pharmacists are well positioned to screen and refer patients for better management of asthma. This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists’ ability to assess the 3 C’s (Control, Compliance, Complications) and offer Management and Advice for patients with asthma in the UAE.MethodsThree fifth year pharmacy students role played a mystery shopper visiting community pharmacies and requesting symptom relief from uncontrolled asthma. Incidence of cough syrup and reliever inhaler supply, physician referral rate, correction of inhaler technique, and counseling on the medications, adherence to the medications and adverse drug reactions were calculated.ResultsOne hundred, ninety five pharmacies were visited, 27% of pharmacists asked about the need for cough syrup and 60% asked about the need for albuterol inhaler. Only 26% asked about other medications. Less than 20% assessed inhaler technique, only one pharmacist asked about regular use of preventer medications and if the patient was adhering to them and only 16% asked about side effects from medications. Most pharmacists (67%) supplied at least one of the medications, while 65% referred the patient to a physician. Only 21% gave information about correct inhaler technique, the majority (> 60%) being incomplete, only 16 pharmacists gave information about asthma and its triggers; the majority (63%) being incomplete. One third of the pharmacists counselled the patient on the medications with one giving complete information.ConclusionsThe study highlighted suboptimal assessment of control, compliance to preventer medications and complications of asthma and the medications that treat it. It also highlighted suboptimal Management and Advice giving and counseling on medication use by pharmacists. Training pharmacists in all aspects of asthma handling is clearly indicated. Despite the high rate of correct patient referral to a physician noted in this study, there is risk to it, as patients might not actually go to see their physician and continue to depend on symptom relief for the management of their asthma. This study highlighted the importance of improving patient education and information seeking attitude.

Self-Perception of Information Literacy Skills and Confidence Level in Use of Information by Women Faculty Members: An Analysis

This article is an attempt to present and publish different aspects of doctoral Thesis awarded by Anna University in the year 2018. The concept of this article is self perception of women faculty member’s information literacy skills and their confidence level in using information for their teaching and research practices. Data and analysis have been compiled as per the aspect of taken topic. Sample size 364 based on primary data collected through well structured questionnaire from 41 Engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University in Coimbatore region. Data have been tabulated and applied suitable statistical tools. Women faculty members self perceived that they do have the confident in evaluating the quality, Interpretation, use of e-format and information retrieval skills. Their confidence level on skills to handle the information is positively significantly correlates with information literacy skills towards information seeking attitudes and the same on internet sources. It is concluded that the faculty member’s information seeking attitude and the same attitude on the internet sources influences to increase effectively confidence level of their skills to handle the information. It has been proved qualitatively and quantitatively. The author suggested to requiring more course integrated information literacy program, motivation and appreciation for research, presentation and publication among women faculty members.

“Tell me more and help me to decide, doctor” – Information seeking attitudes and use of information resources in patients with depression

IntroductionShared decision-making (SDM) has shown to improve adherence, decrease hospitalization, and enhance knowledge of the illness and satisfaction with mental health services. Eliciting each patient's preferences for information allows tailoring the physician behavior according perspectives and expectations. Patients with depression (PWD) have frequently limited information regarding the availability and efficacy of psychiatric treatments.Aims/objectivesUnveil information seeking attitudes of patients with depression and their a priori use of digital sources of information.MethodsA convenience sample of PWD was submitted to a battery of self-report questionnaires. Standardized instruments were used to measure information seeking attitudes and the accessibility and usage of digital information resources.ResultsThirty-six patients were inquired, with a mean age of 39.8 (13.4) years. Information-seeking preferences were high, with an API-I score of 90.1 (13.8). Preferences for information-seeking behaviors were higher in severely depressed (P = 0.010) and less educated (P = 0.026) patients. Preferences were negatively correlated with length of psychiatric treatment (r = −0.514; P = 0.002). Sixty-one percent had a priori information regarding their psychiatric problem, and 68.8% considered it was influential in the decision-making behavior. Access and use of digital resources were correlated with education level (0.644; P = 0.000 and 0.554; P = 0.003), age (−0.357; P = 0.001 and −0.559; P = 0.007) and illness severity (−0.431; P = 0.04).ConclusionPatients with depression want to be informed about their mental condition and treatment options. Few resources are used and decision mostly relies on health professional's opinion and guidance. Accessible resources seem scarce and future research shall address the acceptance and impact of decisional-aid instruments on this population.

Information Seeking, Information Sharing, and going mobile: Three bridges to informal learning

This paper introduces a new perspective on information behavior in Web 2.0 environments, including the role of mobile access in bridging formal to informal learning. Kuhlthau’s (1991, 2007) Information Search Process (ISP) model is identified as a theoretical basis for exploring Information Seeking attitudes and behaviors, while social learning and literacy concepts of Vygotsky (1962, 1978), Bruner (1962, 1964) and Jenkins (2010) are identified as foundations for Information Sharing. The Guided Inquiry Spaces model (Maniotes, 2005) is proposed as an approach to bridging the student’s informal learning world and the curriculum-based teacher’s world. Research within this framework is operationalized through a recently validated Information and Communications Technology Learning (ICTL) survey instrument measuring learners’ preferences for self-expression, sharing, and knowledge acquisition interactions in technology-pervasive environments. Stepwise refinement of ICTL produced two reliable and valid psychometric scales, Information Sharing (alpha=.77) and Information Seeking (alpha=.72). Cross-validation with an established Mobile Learning Scale (Khaddage & Knezek, 2013) indicates that Information Sharing aligns significantly (p<.05) with Mobile Learning. Information Seeking, Information Sharing, and mobile access are presented as important, complimentary components important, complimentary components in the shift along the formal to informal learning continuum. Therefore, measures of these constructs can assist in understanding students’ preferences for 21st century learning.

베이비붐세대 은퇴예정자의 정보이용행태에 관한 연구

This study presents the findings from research on the Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) behaviors of Korean government officials in their 50s. 500 survey respondents participated and the quantitative data were analyzed through Structural Equation Model having six key concepts such as personal information environment, information-seeking attitude, online information attitudes, barriers to information seeking, retirement expectations, and library expectations. The findings showed the important relationships between expectations of the retirement and two constructs (personal information environment and information-seeking attitudes). This study can be used as a strategic implication for library practitioners to develop their library management process in accordance to the potential and powerful evolving user group in a future aged society.

The information seeking attitudes of non‐metropolitan journalists — a qualitative study of two communities and their primary and secondary sources

A review of research on the use of documentary and human resources by journalists is framed in an Anglo‐Saxon professional culture of standardised assignments. The comparative fieldwork focused on journalists and communication officers in a medium‐developed small community in the Caribbean and a parochial community in Western Europe. The innovative professional activities of different personalities are important. Information technology leads to some ethical and social problems in mass communication.

The rheumatic patient's early needs and expectations

During the last few years, studies have revealed that the need for psychosocial support and concrete social services are great in the early stages of the treatment of rheumatic diseases. The ability to keep a job, to do household chores, to participate in leisure activities and to maintain social relations is clearly impaired. Anxiety and depression are not unusual and often associated with weak support from relatives, loneliness and disturbed family relations. Nevertheless, the patients report resilience and determination to cope with the impacts of illness. Crisis intervention, vocational guidance and counselling about problems concerning the disease should be available and offered to the patients. As the patients seem to be unaccustomed to talking about their psychosocial problems, an empathetic and information-seeking attitude on the part of the health care staff is essential.

Psykosocial tilpasning hos hjertekirurgiske patienter I: Patienters og ægtefællers oplevelse af hjertesygdommen

Open heart surgery is accompanied by a high incidence of psychological complications. Systematic research covering patients' experiences is neccesary for clarification of pre-and postoperative emotional reactions. The present study focused on emotional and social aspects in 30 patients (20 men and 10 women) operated on for valvular heart disease or coronary artery disease. Nineteen of twenty-one spouses also participated in the investigation. Comprehensive interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the patients were evaluated using the Bech-Rafaelsen melancholia scale and the Hamilton anxiety scale. The patients were examined five times, the last time six months after the operation. Their spouses were interviewed before the operation and six months later. In the present paper, the patients and methods are described in detail, as are results pertaining to the patients' and their families' reactions to the heart disease. Heart disease was followed by essential psychosocial changes and strain on the patient and the family but also appeared to mobilize resources. The patients reported emotional lability, nervousness, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem because of the enforced decrease in physical activity. Within couples, there was a tendency to conceal problems, but there was no indication of overprotection or guilt. The first symptoms of heart disease were often misinterpreted and/or related to other organs. Some patients initially attempted to deny having a heart disease but eventually developed a more realistic and information-seeking attitude.