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Health information seeking behaviour during exceptional times: A case study of Persian-speaking minorities in Finland

2022· Library & Information Science Research· 1 min read ·0 comments ·0 reactions
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Health information seeking behaviour during exceptional times: A case study of Persian-speaking minorities in Finland
Authors / roleAhmadinia, H., Eriksson-Backa, K., & Nikou, S.
Venue / institutionLibrary & Information Science Research
Publication date2022-01-01
Record typePeer-reviewed journal article
Journal / collectionLibrary & Information Science Research
PublisherElsevier
Suggested citationAhmadinia, H., Eriksson-Backa, K., & Nikou, S. (2022). Health information seeking behaviour during exceptional times: A case study of Persian-speaking minorities in Finland. Library & Information Science Research, 44(2), 101156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101156
LanguageEnglish
FormatJournal article
ABSTRACT

Literature on minorities' health-related information seeking shows that minorities, like non-minorities, require access to accurate and timely information, but they also need information in a range of languages and from a variety of sources. Health-related information seeking behaviour of Persian-speaking minorities living in Finland, explicitly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, was investigated. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the extended Longo Health Information Model was used as a theoretical lens for analysing the data. The results point to several factors that can improve the outcome of minorities' health-related information seeking behaviours and activities, such as providing information related to their personal health, a deeper understanding of factors influencing the quality of health conditions at the individual or household level and broadcasting the latest health-related information in different languages and emphasize the needs for mental health-related information and services. The findings suggest that not only healthcare providers, immigration officials, and policymakers should be aware of the specific health-related information that minorities require, seek, and use during times of adversity, but also the extent to which how the identified factors influence the process of minorities' seeking health-related information.

Information seeking behaviour, Persian-speaking minority

KEYWORDS
Asylum seekersCOVID-19Exceptional timesFinlandImmigrants

Literature on minorities’ health-related information seeking shows that minorities, like non-minorities, require access to accurate and timely information, but they also need information in a range of languages and from a variety of sources. Health-related information seeking behaviour of Persian-speaking minorities living in Finland, explicitly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, was investigated. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the extended Longo Health Information Model was used as a theoretical lens for analysing the data. The results point to several factors that can improve the outcome of minorities’ health-related information seeking behaviours and activities, such as providing information related to their personal health, a deeper understanding of factors influencing the quality of health conditions at the individual or household level and broadcasting the latest health-related information in different languages and emphasize the needs for mental health-related information and services. The findings suggest that not only healthcare providers, immigration officials, and policymakers should be aware of the specific health-related information that minorities require, seek, and use during times of adversity, but also the extent to which how the identified factors influence the process of minorities’ seeking health-related information.

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