Everyone has different perspectives, needs, experiences, behaviors, and actions towards their own health and that of their family members.For example, with regards to the behavioral aspects of health, some prefer to search for and use information from formal sources such as going to a doctor or an official medical service institution when experiencing problems. On the contrary, there are also people that prefer to find and use health information from other sources, such as searching for medicines at the nearest pharmacy or sales stand, asking close neighbors, and consulting relatives. Furthermore, there are those that prefer to look for it from internet and social media sources, whileothers look for other treatments such as herbs and alternative medicine. This practice of health information behavior is still widespread in the society, both urban and rural areas, rich and poor.Therefore, this study maps the practice of health information behavior especially for the rural communities. The method used is qualitative with a multi-methods approach and data collection techniques through FGD (Focus Group Discussion) and unstructured interviews with 80 informants in West Java. The research results were mapped in various dimensions of behavioral information practices, including: healthy information, needs, experience, research and action. It is recommended that public health policy-makers in rural areas take into account the behavioral aspects of health information that are specific to the rural population.
Volume 12 | Issue 6
Pages: 2708-2716
DOI: 10.5373/JARDCS/V12I6/S20201231