INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF WOMEN IN CROSS CULTURAL MARRIAGES IN YENAGAO METROPOLIS, BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

Abstract

The study investigated information needs and seeking behaviour of women in cross cultural marriages in Yenagao Metropolis, Bayelsa State. The study adopted a descriptive research survey design. The population was cross cultural women in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 25 respondents from different cultural backgrounds. Structured interview was used to gather the data. The study was analyzed using simple percentages and mean score. The study discovered that women in cross cultural marriages needed information on culture/tradition of the people, language, local food, locality, Neighborhood, market, personal development, health, social life, business and agriculture. It also revealed that women in cross cultural marriages consulted friends, family members, neighbors, internet, radio and television when seeking for their information needs. The challenges that faced women in cross cultural marriages were gender stereotype, cultural differences, coping with local language, loss of identity, unsupportive family and coping with local food. Furthermore, it revealed that Information overload, inadequate information sharing and lack of information literacy skills were the challenges faced in information seeking. The study recommended that there should be periodic sensitization for people to understand and respect different cultural backgrounds to avoid stereotypes in cross cultural marriage and women in cross cultural marriages should seek for ways of developing their information literacy skills to be able to seek and use information to cope with challenges of cross-cultural marriages.