A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS ON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG RURAL COMMUNITIES IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Individuals' increasing need for health information, as well as their inability to fully utilise health information, are driving health information-seeking importance. Because of the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the adult population, a lack of health facilities and services, and a distinct sociocultural context and healthcare system, it is crucial to investigate the health information needs of the Sarawak rural community. The purpose of this study was to explore the health information needs regarding NCD among adults in the rural communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. This is a qualitative study conducted between February and August 2021 and included twelve in-depth interviews as well as two focus group sessions. The study findings show that individuals with NCDs require more immediate information about medication, alternative treatments, treatment costs, and healthy eating tips. Most participants, whether NCD patients or healthy people, are interested in various NCD topics, indicating many unmet health information needs. These findings emphasise the importance of providing people in rural areas with timely, relevant, affordable, accurate and culturally sensitive health information. Suppose the health policymaker has a better understanding of rural people's information needs. In that case, they will be capable of developing a health information delivery system that takes the rural environment and the way rural people look for health information into account.