Information Packaging and Repackaging as enablers of Health Information Literacy among Rural Dwellers

Authors

  • Omorodion Okuonghae Glorious Vision University, University Library, Ogwa, Nigeria Author
  • Magnus Osahon Igbibovia David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, University Library, Uburu, Nigeria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9104-2991

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2025165

Keywords:

Health information literacy, information access, information re(packaging), library services, rural dwellers

Abstract

Introduction: The need for Health Information Literacy among rural dwellers is heightened by the current information explosion and pervasiveness of misinformation occasioned by advances in digital technologies. Given the prevalent individual characteristics of individuals in the rural areas, there is need for targeted information packaging and repackaging to bridge existing gap in health information hereby ensuring sustainable health and wellbeing. Consequently, this paper explored how information packaging and repackaging can enable health information literacy among rural dwellers. 
Methods: The paper adopted the rapid review of literature to synthesize existing literature around the subject matter. Literatures were retrieved from Google Scholar, EBSCO Host and ProQuest. The search terms were generated from the themes of the study`s specific objectives. The results were filtered based on relevance, currency (2014 to 2024) and language (English).
Results: Some of strategies for effective packaging of health information to rural dwellers include transforming printed information into oral form, use of focal group discussions, and translation of existing information materials into local language spoken by the local community and leveraging on technology for delivering of health information. Information repackaging helps improve rural dwellers` health information access and use skills. It also enhances the usage of culturally sensitive content that resonate with rural community dwellers
Conclusion: Information packaging and repackaging are vital in achieving health information literacy, as it facilitates access to personalized health information and capacity building
 

References

1. Lambert, M., Luke, J., Downey, B., Crengle, S., Kelaher, M., Reid, S., & Smylie, J. (2014). Health literacy: health professionals' understandings and their perceptions of barriers that Indigenous patients encounter. BMC health services research, 14, 614. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-014-0614-1

2. Shreffler-Grant, J., Nichols, E. G., & Weinert, C. (2021). Community-based skill building intervention to enhance health literacy among older rural adults. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 43(7), 668-676. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945920958014

3. Zimmerman, M.S. (2020), "Mapping literacies: Comparing information horizons mapping to measures of information and health literacy", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 76 No. 2, pp. 531-551. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2019-0090

4. Bhagat, V., Sharma, M., & Rangarajan, K. (2022). Health literacy needs among unemployed persons: Collating evidence through triangulation of interview and scoping review data. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.798797

5. Ugwuogu, U. O. (2015). Expectations and challenges of information repackaging in Nigerian academic libraries. International Journal of Learning & Development, 5(2), 56. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v5i2.7514

6. Wang, Q., Tao, C., Yuan, Y., Zhang, S., & Liang, J. (2023). Current Situations and Challenges in the Development of Health Information Literacy. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(3), 2706. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032706

7. Kaur, N., & Kaur, S. (2021). Role of libraries in promoting health information literacy in India. In Handbook of Research on Knowledge and Organization Systems in Library and Information Science (pp. 18). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7258-0.ch019

8. John Moritz Library (2023). Health Information Literacy. Retrieved from https://libguides.methodistcollege.edu/healthliteracy

9. Radhakrishnan, S., & Francis, A. T. (2018). Information Repackaging Services and Products: A Study with Special Reference to Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL). Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services, 8(1), 79-82. Retrieved from http://www.trp.org.in

10. Agbaji, Y. O., & Odumu, W. (2017). Information repackaging: A panacea for libraries and information resource centres in Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 6(6), 59-63. Retrieved from http://www.ijbmi.org

11. Emasealu, H. U., & Umeozor, S. N. (2015). Bridging the gap between town and gown: Role of librarians in community service programmes. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 1306. Retrieved from

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1306

12. Fitzpatrick P. J. (2023). Improving health literacy using the power of digital communications to achieve better health outcomes for patients and practitioners. Frontiers in digital health, 5, 1264780. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1264780

13. Echedom, A.U. & Okuonghae, O. (2021). Transforming academic library operations in Africa with artificial intelligence: Opportunities and challenges: A review paper. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 27(2), 243-255, DOI: 10.1080/13614533.2021.1906715

14. Chen, X., Orom, H., Hay, J. L., Waters, E. A., Schofield, E., Li, Y., & Kiviniemi, M. T. (2019). Differences in Rural and Urban Health Information Access and Use. The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association, 35(3), 405–417. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12335

15. Cyr, M. E., Etchin, A. G., Guthrie, B. J., et al. (2019). Access to specialty healthcare in urban versus rural US populations: A systematic literature review. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 974. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4815-5

16. Andrulis, D. P., & Brach, C. (2007). Integrating literacy, culture, and language to improve health care quality for diverse populations. American journal of health behavior, 31 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S122–S133. https://doi.org/10.5555/ajhb.2007.31.supp.S122

17. Zhang, X., & Zhang, Z. (2020). How Do Smart Villages Become a Way to Achieve Sustainable Development in Rural Areas? Smart Village Planning and Practices in China. Sustainability, 12(24), 10510. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410510

18. Bujnowska-Fedak, M. M., Waligóra, J., & Mastalerz-Migas, A. (2019). The Internet as a Source of Health Information and Services. In M. Pokorski (Ed.), Advancements and Innovations in Health Sciences. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (Vol. 1211). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2019_396

19. Ezema, I. J. (2011). Information Repackaging for the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking in Nigeria. Tin City Journal of Library, Archival and Information Science, 1(2), 58–64. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281837081_Information_Repackaging_for_the_Prevention_and_Control_of_Human_Trafficking_in_Nigeria

20. Monnard, K., Benjamins, M. R., Hirschtick, J. L., Castro, M., & Roesch, P. T. (2021). Co-creation of knowledge: A community-based approach to multilevel dissemination of health information. Health Promotion Practice, 22(2), 215–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919865228

21. Boloka, M., & Ngoepe, M. (2024). Leaving no one behind: Information (re)packaging for rural dwellers in South Africa. Information Development, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669241227877

22. Van Iseghem, T., Jacobs, I., Vanden Bossche, D., et al. (2023). The role of community health workers in primary healthcare in the WHO-EU region: A scoping review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1), 134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-01944-0

23. Lohr, A. M., Ingram, M., Nuñez, A. V., Reinschmidt, K. M., & Carvajal, S. C. (2018). Community–Clinical Linkages With Community Health Workers in the United States: A Scoping Review. Health Promotion Practice, 19(3), 349-360. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839918754868

24. Aldoory, L., Yaros, R. A., Prado, A. A., Roberts, E., & Briones, R. L. (2016). Piloting health text messages for rural low-income mothers. Health Promotion Practice, 17(5), 702-710. https://doi.org/

25. Yap, C. S., Huong Tiew, F. N., Ngadan, A. A., & Ho, P. L. (2020). Information needs and information seeking behaviour of rural dwellers in Sarawak, Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, 25(2), 77–94. https://doi.org/10.22452/mjlis.vol25no2.5

26. National Youth Service Corp (n.d). National Youth Service Corps Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD). Retrieved from https://nysc.gov.ng/downloads/HIRD_PROFILE.pdf

27. Gautham, M., Iyengar, M. S., & Johnson, C. W. (2015). Mobile phone–based clinical guidance for rural health providers in India. Health Informatics Journal, 21(4), 253-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458214523153

28. Ramachandran, D., Canny, J., Das, P. D., & Cutrell, E. (2010). Mobile-izing health workers in rural India. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1889–1898). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/1753326.1753610

29. Tam, H. L., Wong, E. M. L., & Cheung, K. (2023). Educational program with text messaging for community-dwelling patients with hypertension: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Asian Nursing Research, 17(3), 158-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2023.06.001

30. Bon, A., De Boer, V., De Leenheer, P., & Akkermans, H. (2015). The web of radios: Introducing African community radio as an interface to the web of data. In The Web of Data: Bridging the Gap between Big Data and Linked Data (pp. xx-xx). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46641-4

Downloads

Published

2025-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Okuonghae O, Igbibovia MO. Information Packaging and Repackaging as enablers of Health Information Literacy among Rural Dwellers. Seminars in Medical Writing and Education [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 1 [cited 2025 Jan. 16];4:165. Available from: https://mw.ageditor.ar/index.php/mw/article/view/165