A FRAMEWORK FOR DESIGNING PATIENT-CENTRED HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN NIGERIA: A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Sickle cell disease is a serious health problem globally. To reduce Sickle cell disease few studies adopted the problem from socio-cultural perspective and none of the studies use Chatman (2000) theory of information behavior. This study aims at understanding information behavior of patients with sickle cell disease, using Chatman theory of information behavior as a theoretical framework to guide the investigation. This study adopted interpretative research paradigm and collected qualitative data using in-depth interview. Inductive analytical processes were used to analyze the data collected. Findings based on Chatman theory of information behavior revealed that sociocultural beliefs are the main reason for non-use of information communicated to patients with sickle cell disease. Therefore, this study recommended that for a sustained acceptance and use of information communicated to patients with sickle cell disease, there is the critical need for health policy makers and information professionals to design information program for patients with sickle cell disease based on the social and cultural dynamics.