Table 1.

Health information needs studies (concerning mothers, women/families and/or reproductive health) in developing countries

Study	Type of study (Number of participants)	Research question*	Results*
[34] Fairer-Wessels FA. 1990.	Qualitative survey and interview (#80)	What are the daily information needs of urban black South African women, are they generally able to fulfill those needs, how and where do they search and would development of Community Information Centers help?	Generally these women use interpersonal sources for seeking information needs, and the most commonly sought information is regarding health issues. A community information center sounds like a good idea (no reasons really offered).
[35] Ngimwa, P, et al. 1997.	Qualitative survey and interview (#312)	What is the media accessibility and use of rural women in Kenya? Additionally what are their main information needs and information sources?	The women in this study tend to use interpersonal sources of information most frequently (60% use friends and relatives, and 34% use professionals as a first information source, with 74.1% expressing satisfaction with source) and the researchers recommend alternative methods for providing information to these women rather than media like radio. Women tend to have most questions about healthcare needs (43.3%) and farming/agricultural issues (29.8%).
[36] Lugina HI, et al. 2001. [37] Lugina HI, et al. 2004.	Qualitative survey interview (#110) Qualitative interview + card sorting activity (#110)	What are the concerns of first time mothers in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania immediately and six weeks post-partum? What are mothers concerns regarding the post-partum period, and are there better methods for getting at the information in developing countries?	In this population, some maternal worries change over six weeks, some stay the same. Worries were mainly around the baby’s general condition (with lesser concern about care and behavior) and the mothers’ feelings (with lesser concerns regarding appearance, family reactions, and sexuality), switching to more interests and confidences in these areas after 6 weeks. Questions are raised about how to provide timely information. Overall between 1–6 weeks post partum, worries decrease from 29%-15% (about baby from 31%-14% & self from 30%-20%) and interests (overall 38%–42%, baby 41%–50%, self 38%–41%), and confidences (overall 32%–43%, baby 29%–36%, self 32%–39%) increase. This study will help healthcare providers to understand the types of information these women are looking for post-partum. Additionally, using card sorting seems to get better response than just interview alone for concerns, interests, etc. of first time mothers.
[38] Mooko, N. P. 2005. [39] Mooko, N. P. 2002.	Qualitative interview and focus groups (#60)	What are the information needs and information seeking behaviors of rural Botswanan women?	The most common information need of women in the study related to health information for the women and their families, and the most common and helpful information source was a healthcare provider.
[40] Ertem IO, et al. 2007.	Random survey and interviews (#1200)	What do mothers in a developing country (Turkey) know about young child development?	In general, mothers felt that developmental milestones occur later than actual for normal children-the majority of women did not know that sight (52%), vocalization (79%), social smiling (59%), and overall brain development (68%) begin in the early months of life. Women with more education and fewer children had a better idea of actual childhood development. This study suggests that healthcare providers need to educate mothers in child development for optimum provision of pediatric healthcare.
[41] Bankole A, et al. 2007.	National household survey	What is the knowledge level of young teens in four sub-Saharan countries (Burkina Faso, Malawi, Uganda, and Ghana), and how do they fill their information needs regarding sexual behavior, STIs and pregnancy?	These kids use multiple information sources, most commonly mass media (45.6%–78.9% depending on gender and country), but also teacher/school (17.7%–69.8%, depending on gender and country) and friends (18.2%–59.7%, depending on gender and country). The researchers suggest that in-school education programs might be most effective.

^*See notes regarding research question(s) and results