East West University took the initiative to conduct a project to grow leaders in the field of Health Information Literacy with support from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) under its Action for Development through Libraries (ALP) program in 2011-2012. The project was in three phases.

Background

Bangladesh is one of the most compactly populated countries in the world. Its population of over 140 million places a tremendous economic, social and environmental strain on the country’s resources. In spite of development successes in the last three decades, with fertility declining from 6.3 to 2.5 children/women, Bangladesh’s population is still projected to reach 200 million by 2050. The health status of mothers and children remains poor. Due to prevalent poverty, children (40%) and mothers (30%) suffer from moderate to severe underfeeding. Malnutrition is also a reason for the death of nearly a quarter of children under five. Bangladesh is also at high risk to the spread of HIV/AIDS, despite its low prevalence among the common population, due to a concentrated epidemic among injecting drug users. Bangladesh is considered one of 22 high burden countries for Tuberculosis (TB) and currently has the sixth highest frequency in the world.

To protect the country’s population from these types of problems and to build healthy and wealthy nation literacy is a crucial element that can play a significant role to develop a self dependent population as well as a nation.

East West University took the initiative to conduct a project to grow leaders in the field of Health Information Literacy with support from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) under its Action for Development through Libraries (ALP) program in 2011-2012. The project was in three phases.

The first phase of the workshop was a train the trainers workshop on health information literacy that was conducted on 27-30 July 2011.

The workshop was focused on different health and health related issues to promote the health information literacy among next generation of the country. A total of 35 participants from national & International leading public and private universities including North Bengal University, India, Maldives National University, Banaras Hindu Inuversity, Varanasi, India, Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Independent University Bangladesh, and other national & International institutions took part.

The closing session of the workshop was held on 30th July 2011. This session was addressed by Md. Humayun Kabir, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as chief guest.

The second phase of the workshop was Health Information Literacy that was conducted on 12 and 13 February 2012 at the East West University Auditorium. This workshop was specially designed for the researchers, faculty members, health workers and graduate and undergraduate students from different universities of the country. Professor Ahmed Shafee, Vice Chancellor, East West University emphasized that libraries have a pivotal role in promoting health information literacy.

The 3rd and last phase was conducted by the East West University Library on 20 July 2012. A total of 27 participants from public and private universities took part. Speakers urged the participants to use their knowledge to create a healthy society.

The Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Rajshahi, introduced a topic on health information literacy for students after participating in this project.

East West University Library believes that this series of workshop successfully achieved its objectives and has created more awareness about practicing health information literacy.

Outcomes

  1. Introduced awareness about health information literacy not only for library professionals of Bangladesh but also for the faculty members, health workers, researchers, doctors, university students and mass people

  2. Provided hands-on training regarding when and why health information is needed, where to find information, how to evaluate, use and communicate in information an ethical manner

  3. Developed the research work, quality education and capacity building among the stakeholders of academic institutions

  4. Participants are a resource person in this field. Some of the participants from the first phase of this workshop have become cascade trainers in the 2nd and 3rd phases

  5. Critical thinking about health issues and links to useful health information sources also provided. The overall project outcome has allowed the professionals/participants to promote health information literacy for health and wellness to library users.

Project Activities

  • Phase 1: International workshop on health information literacy for library professionals, 27-30 July 2011.

    • 25 participants
  • Phase 2: Training on health information literacy program for researchers and students in Bangladesh, 12-13 February 2012.

    • Two training programmes, with a total of 60 participants. Delivered by cascade trainers, trained in phase 1
  • Phase 3: Training for senior library and health information professionals of other universities, 20 July 2012.

    • 20 local library and health information professionals participated. Delivered by cascade trainers, trained in phase 1.

Project Evaluation

To evaluate the total project we have prepared and conducted a paper based survey with predefined & structured questionnaire. During the workshop, we have also take short/un-structured interview to understand the effectiveness of the workshop.

Table-1: Pre-workshop quiz results

To evaluate the participant’s skill on health information literacy before & after the workshop, we have used a predefined quiz.

  Accurate Average Not Accurate
1. What do you mean by Health Literacy (HL)? 15% 30% 65%
2. What do you understand by Health Information Literacy (HIL)? 10% 20% 70%
3. Why HL/HIL is necessary? Give at least two reasons. 25% 12.5% 62.5%
4. List at least three evaluation criteria for ascertaining the quality of online health information. 5% 17.5% 77.5%
5. Give names of at least three Health Information Literacy Websites. 4% 10% 86%

Table 2: Post-workshop quiz results

To evaluate participant’s knowledge on health information literacy after completion of the workshop, we arranged a post-quiz test.

  Accurate Average Not Accurate
1 What do you mean by Health Literacy (HL)? 95% 5% 0%
2 What do you understand by Health Information Literacy (HIL)? 92% 8% 0%
3 Why HL/HIL is necessary? Give at least two reasons. 93% 7% 0%
4 List at least three evaluation criteria for ascertaining the quality of online health information. 85% 12% 3%
5 Give names of at least three Health Information Literacy Websites. 87.5% 7.5% 5%

From these two tables, we can easily identify the changes of participant’s knowledge before and after the workshop. The results also indicate the effectiveness of the workshop.

Project report submitted by:
Dilara Begum
Head of Library, East West University
Project coordinator, International workshop on Health Information Literacy (IWHIL)