Information seeking behaviour of parents and caregivers of children with mental illness in Tanzania

Research Article published by Library ReviewPurpose - The aim of this paper was to assess information needs and information seeking behaviour of parents and caregivers of children with mental illness at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania. The study mainly assessed the information needs of parents and caregivers of children with mental illness, their preferable sources of health information, and their constraints on information seeking. Design/methodology/approach - A case study research design was used in this study, where 168 structured questionnaires were distributed to parents and caregivers of children with mental illness at the Neurological Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic (NPOC) of Kilimanjaro Christian Medical centre (KCMC). The rate of response was 89.3%. Findings - The study found that health information needs of parents and caregivers were mainly associated with health care (for example, nutrition, treatment), and health education. Parents and caregivers of children with mental illness used the internet as the main source of information about their children's health, which was followed by printed books and television. Health information seeking behaviour appeared similar across gender categories, but there were differences on the use of print and electronic information sources according to age and level of education. The main factors that hindered access to health information included low level of education, lack of funds and health information illiteracy. Practical implications - The paper provides practical suggestions that would facilitate information seeking and use among parents and caregivers of children with mental illness in Tanzania and other countries with similar conditions. Originality/value - Previous studies on the topic are scanty and, therefore, the paper provides important insights into the information needs and information seeking behaviour of parents and caregivers of children with mental illness in a developing country setting

From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania

XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central & Southern Africa Library & Information AssociationsIn the last few decades there has been a shift from “collection development” to “collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices

From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania

XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central & Southern Africa Library & Information Associations, 10-14 July 2006, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania“collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices

From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania

XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central & Southern Africa Library & Information AssociationsIn the last few decades there has been a shift from “collection development” to “collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices

Understanding indigenous knowledge: Bridging the knowledge gap through a knowledge creation model for agricultural development

This article addresses the management of agricultural indigenous knowledge (IK) in developing countries, with a specific focus on Tanzania. It provides background details on IK and its importance for agricultural development. It introduces various knowledge management (KM) concepts and discusses their application in managing IK in the developing world by placing Nonaka’s knowledge creation theory (Nonaka 1991; Nonaka & Takeuchi 1995; Nonaka, Toyama & Konno 2000) in the context of the local communities. Data from focus groups were used to triangulate with data from interviews in order to validate, confirm and corroborate quantitative results with qualitative findings. The study findings showed that knowledge creation theory can be used to manage IK in the local communities, however, adequate and appropriate resources need to be allocated for capturing and preserving IK before it disappears altogether. For sustainable agricultural development, the communities have to be placed within a knowledge-creating setting that continuously creates, distributes and shares knowledge within and beyond the communities’ boundaries and integrates it with new agricultural technologies, innovations and knowledge

From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania

XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central & Southern Africa Library & Information Associations, 10-14 July 2006, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania“collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices