USE AND PREFERENCE OF HEALTH INFORMATION RESOURCE FORMATS AMONG PRE-CLINICAL MEDICAL STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the purpose, frequency of use, format preferences, and institutional challenges regarding health information resources among pre-clinical students in Ogun State, Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, a structured questionnaire was deployed across two selected institutions representing the public and private tertiary sectors: Babcock University (BU) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). Multi-stage sampling was utilized to select 250 pre-clinical students across the departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology, yielding 227 valid responses (90.8% response rate) analyzed via frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. Findings shows that the primary driver for utilizing health information resources was supporting academic activities (X = 3.35). Print media (medical textbooks, (X = 3.15); dictionaries, (X = 3.02) dominated everyday frequency of use, while internet resources (X = 2.53) emerged as the most preferred format overall. The most severe institutional challenges identified were non-courteous library staff (X = 2.70), difficulties in physically retrieving located reading materials (X = 2.54), and restricted electronic resource access (X = 2.54).  The study concluded that, there was a significant dual contribution of resource accessibility and use in driving format preferences. Medical libraries must implement customer service training for personnel, streamline retrieval mechanics, and bolster digital infrastructure to bridge the gap between traditional print availability and student digital preferences.