Abstract

This study examined information sources and needs of medical doctors in post-COVID-19 recovery in selected hospitals in Borno State, Nigeria using a descriptive design and mixed method (Survey and Key Informant Interview) that integrates qualitative and quantitative methods. Purposive sampling was used to select the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Umar Shehu Ultramodern Hospital, State Specialist Hospital and Mohammed Shuwa Memorial Hospital. For the KII, six (6) informants who were directly involved in the coordination of the COVID-19 response in Borno State were selected and interviewed. For the survey, the study targeted 200 medical doctors using accidental sampling, which is more than 50% of the population. A questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection. Findings show that the majority of the respondents needed information on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and the preventive measures. Major sources to the doctors include institutional bodies (WHO, NCDC, Federal/State Ministries of Health), hospital committees/structures (IPC committees, surveillance units, clinical meetings, newsletters), and professional networks which are also the most easily accessible to them. The study found here that peer-reviewed journals/research, clinical experiences, patient data, clinical departmental meetings are perceived as highly effective sources of information It is concluded that the doctors’ information needs were dynamic and transitional across the acute and recovery phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Words: Information, Sources, post-COVID-19, Hospital, Doctors

About the Authors

* Danjuma Gambo, Ph.D., is a Professor of Development Communication in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. He is the current Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Borno State, Nigeria. His research interests include development communication, media history, media regulation, and media and conflict.

**Mohammed Auwal Umar, Orcid.org/0000-0001-9756-0239, is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria and a PhD candidate in the same Department. His research interests include development communication, new media, journalism, media and peacebuilding and broadcasting.

***Hajara Garba Ibrahim is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Her scholarly interests center on development communication, with additional research interests in communication research and information and communication technologies (ICTs).

****Jude Melea Moses is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria where he is also pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field. His academic interests focus on communication and media studies.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 102-115.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Gambo, D., Umar, M. A., Ibrahim, H. G. & Moses, J. M. (2026). Assessment of information sources and needs of medical doctors in post-COVID-19 recovery in selected hospitals in Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1): 102-115.

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund Nigeria), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Umar Shehu Ultramodern Hospital, Borno State Specialist Hospital and Mohammed Shuwa Memorial Hospital Department of Mass Communication and the University of Maiduguri for providing the academic platform and environment for the authors to engage in this intellectual exercise.

Funding

The authors received funding from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund Nigeria) and the work was conducted under the supervision and guidelines of the Centre for Research and Innovation, University of Maiduguri under the Institutional-Based Research (IBR) Scheme.

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