Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-2 | Issue-09 | 818-829
Original Research Article
Evaluating Access and Use of Information Services by Patients of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Nairobi County: The Case of Asumbi Treatment Centre
Janet A. Kalangi, Andrew Njoroge, Emily Kogos
Published : Sept. 30, 2017
Abstract
Information plays a key role in helping the recovery of patients of alcohol
and drug abuse (ADA). In the rehabilitation centres, ADA patients are engaged in a
treatment programme and are expected to integrate back to the society and become
productive people. Alongside other medical procedures, information plays an
important role in helping in the recovery of patients of alcohol and drug abuse. This
study aims to evaluate the access and use of information services to patients of
alcohol and drug abuse in Nairobi County, the case of Asumbi Treatment Centre and
to suggest ways in which they can be enhanced. The objectives of this study were: to
determine the information needs ADA patients in the rehabilitation centre; to establish
information seeking habits of ADA patients; to find out how ADA patients use
information; to assess the existing information services available to ADA patients; to
find out the challenges faced by ADA patients in accessing and using information,
and to suggest ways of enhancing provision of information services to ADA patients
in rehabilitation centres. This research adopted a case study design and the approach
was mixed, having both qualitative and qualitative approaches. The findings revealed
that ADA patients have their unique information needs and they experience
challenges of accessing and using information. The study identified inadequate
facilities for ADA patients to access and use information services in the rehabilitation
centre. Among the major recommendations in this study is that ADA rehabilitation
centres should establish information centres, and in addition, offer bibliotherapy
services to its patients.