1.
Satinderbir Kaur
– Librarian, Sri Guru Arjan Dev (SGAD) Government College, Tarn Taran, Punjab, India
2.
Navkiran Kaur
– Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Library & Information Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India.
Abstract
Women are the main decision makers of health in Indian households; the health of a family significantly depends on the health of the women in the family. Access to credible and reliable information related to health plays a vital role in elevating individual and family health. This research paper examined the use of different health information resources by women and the relationship with their demographic characteristics. Data were collected from 348 female staff members working in the selective universities of Punjab, India. Descriptive statistics and chi-square methods were used to assess the health information-seeking behaviour of the selected women with respect to their demographic characteristics. The findings of this study show that age, education, income, geographic area, and health status of women have a considerable influence on the use of different health information resources. Women prefer online health information resources due to easy accessibility, efficiency, and up-to-date information. The main barriers in seeking health information are higher cost, lack of credibility, lack of awareness, and minimal library support.
Keywords Health Information Literacy, Health Information Resources, Information-Seeking Behaviour, Women Health, Female University Staff, Libraries