Use of Ai-Based Health Information Tools and Self-Medication Behavior Among Librarians in Selected Polytechnics in Benue State- Nigeria

Nnadi Jovita Egondu; Chia Chivir; Kpughur Tersoo Aloysius

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no9.2026.pg11.23

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Use of Ai-Based Health Information Tools and Self-Medication Behavior Among Librarians in Selected Polytechnics in Benue State- Nigeria

Nnadi Jovita Egondu, Chia Chivir, Kpughur Tersoo Aloysius

Abstract

This study examined the use of AI-based health information tools and self-medication behaviour among librarians in selected polytechnics in Benue State, Nigeria. The study specifically investigated; the extent of use of AI-based health information tools, determined the prevalence of self-medication, and identified reasons for self-medication among librarians. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 75 librarians from selected polytechnics in Benue State. Total enumeration sampling was used, and all 75 respondents participated in the study, giving a 100% response rate. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, regression analysis, and Chi-square. The findings showed a high level of use of AI-based health information tools, with a grand mean of 4.10. Self-medication behaviour was also high, with a composite mean of 4.08. The most commonly reported practices included obtaining medicines directly from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription (92.0%) and treating common illnesses with previously prescribed medicines (90.7%). Saving time and reducing healthcare costs was identified as a major reason for self-medication, with a mean of 4.17. The study further found a positive, moderate and statistically significant relationship between AI-based health information tool use and self-medication behaviour (r = 0.458, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that AI-based health information tool use significantly predicted self- medication behaviour, accounting for 21.0% of the variation in self-medication behaviour. Chi- square analysis showed that gender, age, academic qualification, work experience, and institution were not significantly associated with AI-based health information tool use. The study concluded that the high use of AI-based health information tools was associated with increased self- medication behaviour among the respondents.

Keywords

Artificial intelligencehealth information toolslibrarianshealth informationself- medication.

References

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Use of Ai-Based Health Information Tools and Self-Medication Behavior Among Librarians in Selected Polytechnics in Benue State- Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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