Health Information Services Promotion with Special Reference to Improve Public Health: A Case of Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre Library

Information is one of the most essential needs of human life just like air, water, food and shelter. Hence information is a key resource for the progress and development of the nation. Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) has been generating a wide range of knowledge base on food, nutrition and health. The generated information is deposited in the library and exist in a variety of forms including books, journals, newsletters, calendars, teaching materials as well as access to leaflets and posters; they cover different aspects of health promotion.

The development of Information Communication Technology particularly world wide websites provide quick means of access and promote the use of health information. However, health information available at the Centre is little accessed by students, policy makers, extension workers and general public particularly in rural areas. In developing countries the use of internet is still low thus; books and printed materials remain a corner stone for education and information transfer.

The achievement of health Millennium Development Goals by 2015 particularly goal no.4 (to reduce child mortality), goal no.5 (to improve maternal health) and goal no.6 (to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases), there is a need for information professionals to promote access to health information to all people in the community

This paper intends to discuss different strategies which have been used by librarians, communication officers and   nutrition officers to provide and promote health information services and information resources that are available at the Centre for the purpose of improving health of community. Promotion strategies include distribution of health, food and nutrition information through exhibitions, exchange programs, distribution of calendars, and personal visits at the Library. The way forward, recommendation and conclusion have been included in this paper.