Information needs and information seeking behaviour of orphans in selected public primary schools in Kinondoni district, Tanzania
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Date
2016
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out the information needs and seeking behaviour of orphans in selected public primary schools in Kinondoni District. More specifically, it identified information needs and seeking behaviour of orphans, sources and channels of information used by orphans and caregivers to access information and problems they face. Finally, strategies needed to improve information access to orphans. The study used a combination of instruments to collect data including questionnaire, interviews, observations and documentary reviews. A total of 212 respondents participated in the study. Data was processed and analysed using SPSS programme and content analysis. The findings reveal that information being essential factor in enabling proper decision¬making and informed choices, it was not effectively accessed by majority of the orphans. Furthermore, findings indicate that, although orphans had a wide range of information needs, these needs were largely not met due to financial constraints, lack of awareness of key sources of information due to low literacy levels and inadequate information search skills. The findings show that the key sources and channels of information which, are used by orphans to access information include teachers, the radio, friends and relatives whereas caregivers and teachers use radio and community meetings to access information. On the basis of the study findings, the study recommends the following: the government should support and complement efforts of NGOs that support orphans. In addition, the government and other private organizations in collaboration with Tanzania library services should establish information resource centres or libraries in every public primary school, which should be stocked with information on orphans' issues in Kiswahili language. Finally, NGOs dealing with orphans and legal issues and religious institutions should organize seminars and workshops for orphans, caregivers and teachers on orphans' needs, rights and obligation.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Information behavior, Information retrieval, Orphans, Public schools, Public Primary Schools, Kinondoni district, Tanzania
Citation
Bitegela, E. E. (2016) Information needs and information seeking behaviour of orphans in selected public primary schools in Kinondoni district, Tanzania, Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx?)