Information Seeking behaviours of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Selected Homes in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigated information seeking behaviours of the orphans and vulnerable children in the selected homes in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study is a survey research anchored on post- positivism paradigm which combined both qualitative and quantitative methods employing both questionnaire and interview to collect data. The population of the study is 450 from two homes in Ogun state. The study adopted the snowballing sampling technique to locate the respondents for the study. The findings of the study revealed that the informal sources such as the Internet, television and friends are sources of information for OVC. The most preferred source of information is television and the main challenge facing the OVC in seeking information is basically the high cost of getting information such as subscriptions to the Internet and other information sources. Based on the findings of the study, the research recommends the followings; the management of the two homes should provide Internet services for the children and they should be able to access the internet services regularly. OVC program should be included in the television programs and television hours should be included in their timetables. In addition, government and various social organizations should provide financial assistance to the OVC to be able to subscribe to various forms of information sources. Ministry of Social Welfare and Development should assist the OVC in providing necessary information resources at subsidized rate.

Investigación del comportamiento de la información en África: pasado, potencial y un “clamor” por una investigación impactante

“…African research is marked by interest in the social status of vulnerable people such as widows (Abiolu, 2022), orphans (Odunmade, Oloniruha, Ibrahim and Owunesi, 2022), juveniles (Akintola and Onifade, 2011), homeless youth (Markwei and Rasmussen, 2015) and those who take care of them (i.e., their caregivers) (Mnubi-Mchombu and Mostert, 2011). Juveniles' main needs for information are about their families and adjustment information.…”