Information Seeking Behavior and Utilization of Mass Media by Geriatrics in Haryana

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Ashma Khan1, Manju Dahiya2, and Firoz Khan3 (Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Damla, Yamunanagar, Haryana, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Haryana1, Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana2, Department of Geology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand3)

Population ageing was not a major problem in India as, in terms of demography, it is a young population country but due to the nation’s growing ageing, this has been radically changing in recent decades. India has also entered the group of nations that are rapidly ageing due to a changing health landscape and demographic ageing. The issues associated with an aging population are Health problems, inadequate medical treatment facilities and a lack of social and economic support. The present study shows the social participations, Extent and Information seeking behavior and utilization of mass media by geriatrics. The Cross-cultural study was conducted in Hisar and Mewat District of Haryana State. A total of 200 old age pensioner above the age of 65 years were selected randomly. The results indicated in both districts, majority of the geriatrics (91.0% & 90.0% each) had no membership in any organization, indicating poor social participation. Children were the main source of information in Nuh district and friends in Hisar. The extent of information seeking behavior of geriatrics was high for children, medium for relatives and for others it was low in Nuh. On the contrary in Hisar the extent was high for friends, medium for neighbors and children and low for all other sources. The extent of utilization of mass media was high for newspapers, radio and mobile, medium for magazine (at home) and TV and low for magazines, cable facility, computer, laptop and internet facility in Nuh whereas in Hisar the extent of utilization was high for newspapers and mobile phones, medium for magazines, TV and cable facility whereas low for magazines (outside home), computer, laptop and internet facility.