Information needs and seeking strategies of antenatal patients for enhancing healthcare service delivery in rural areas of Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study aims to provide an understanding of the intricate dynamics surrounding antenatal care in rural Northeastern Nigeria. It examined factors such as healthcare-related information needs, preferred sources of information, and information-seeking strategies, to inform interventions that can enhance maternal and child health outcomes in the region. The study adopted a quantitative action research design and analyzed the data collected using descriptive statistics and concept-driven data coding. 1,495 registered prenatal patients from three Federal Teaching Hospitals in Northeastern Nigeria—Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (412 prenatal Patients), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (452 Antenatal Patients), and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (631 Antenatal Patients)—make up the study's population. Data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews using a participatory action research technique. The study found that antenatal patients have a substantial information requirement about healthcare, with emphasis on family planning, delivery preparation, and maternal nutrition (Mean=3.6404, SD=0.51526). The study concludes that the three main sources of information are patient information desks, printed materials, and healthcare providers while the use of technology-based sources is, however, modest, suggesting a digital gap in information access. Therefore, it recommends specialized health education programs, digital literacy initiatives, and community-based workshops for antenatal patients.