FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCESS TO HEALTH INFORMATION AMONG THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ZIMBABWE: A SCOPING REVIEW

Taphros Madondo; Nevermore Sithole; Rosemary Maturure; Alice Dube; Sibongile Chituku; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1636

Taphros Madondo Africa University, Zimbabwe.
Nevermore Sithole College of Business and Management Sciences and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Africa University, South Africa.
Rosemary Maturure Africa University, Zimbabwe.
Alice Dube Health Sciences Librarian, College of Health Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, Zimbabwe.
Sibongile Chituku Department of Public Health and Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, Zimbabwe.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Division of Haematology, Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Zimbabwe. The Division of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1636

Keywords:

elderly populations, health information literacy, healthcare provision, information access, information promotion, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Access to accurate and timely health information is essential for quality healthcare delivery among the elderly people in developing countries including Zimbabwe. Access to quality health information enables people to make informed choices and improves healthcare delivery in developing countries. However, numerous obstacles create significant difficulties for the elderly people when it comes to accessing health information. Therefore, this study sought to identify sources of health information and challenges faced by elderly people in Zimbabwe in accessing health information. This study concludes that elderly people rely on diverse sources of health information such as village health workers, broadcast media, and family members. This study concludes that orally transmitted health information was popular among elderly people due to difficulties in accessing print information sources. Several obstacles hinder access to health information among elderly people in Zimbabwe. These obstacles include low levels of education, poor road networks, limited healthcare workers, and inadequate health facilities, lack of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, misinformation, and affordability of health information, negative attitudes, cultural beliefs and ageism in healthcare. Furthermore, this study recommends targeted and inclusive health information services in Zimbabwe. Designing inclusive, culturally sensitive, age-appropriate health content is important in reaching diverse audiences. This can be achieved through strengthening the National Health Information System in Zimbabwe.