Awareness and Utilization of Health Information on Risky Health Behaviours of Pregnant Women in Anambra State

Augusta Chioma Ezeabasili; Oliver Ugocha; Amanze O. Unagha

Augusta Chioma Ezeabasili Department of Library and Information Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Oliver Ugocha Professor of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
Amanze O. Unagha Professor of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria

Keywords: Health information, Risky health behaviours, Pregnant women, Information awareness, Information utilization, Anambra State

Abstract

Health information enables an individual to take the best decision concerning his/her health. Pregnant women have peculiar health information needs. This study investigated the awareness and utilization of health information on risky health behaviours of pregnant women in Anambra State. Three specific objectives guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population comprised eight thousand nine hundred and eighty four (8,984) pregnant women. Borg and Gall statistical tool was used to determine the sample size of eight hundred and ninety eight (898). Questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using mean ratings and simple percentages. The study revealed that pregnant women in Anambra State are not aware of their risky health behaviours, secondly, they do not utilize the health information provided for them due to certain challenges. This implies that the lifestyle which pregnant women in Anambra State understood as normal, endanger their lives and that of their unborn children. Therefore, providing them with relevant health information and at the same time paying attention to the challenges that hinder their health information utilization can reduce to a great extent the number of women and babies dying of pregnancy related complications each year. It was recommended among others that healthcare providers and information professionals should utilize different media to increase the level of awareness on risky health behaviours associated with pregnancy.