HEALTH INFORMATION LITERACY LEVEL OF RURAL PEOPLE: THE ROLE OF MEDICAL LIBRARIANS

Abstract

The health information literacy of rural people in Anambra State of Nigeria is, with significant barriers including limited access to education, low literacy rates, reliance on traditional healers, and a lack of readily available health information in understandable formats, particularly in local languages, making it difficult for them to understand and act upon health information effectively. This article explores the concept of health information literacy, the information-seeking behavior of rural people on health matters, and the health effects of oil pollution.  The development of new skills among the people, the critical health literacy competencies of the rural people, community-based education and outreach programs, and health literacy strategies. Medical librarians' role in training rural people on health information literacy skills in rural area communities is a critical issue presently in the Medical Library Association in developed countries, particularly third-world countries. Thus, this is the crux of this article paper.