Knowledge, Accessibility and Use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) among Students and Teachers in the Department of Nursing Sciences University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus

Abstract

People over time, have devised various techniques for communicating their thoughts, needs and desires to others in every aspect of life. The emergence of ICT has affected all aspects of human life, including education at all levels. ICT knowledge, accessibility and use are linked with higher efficiency and higher productivity. Undergraduate nursing students and their teachers occupy a central position in both educational and health care systems of any country. This study was carried out to investigate the knowledge, accessibility and use of ICT among students and teachers in the Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used. All the 454 undergraduate students in the Department of Nursing and 23 teachers comprised the subjects for the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and anayzed using student’s t-test and Chi square. Probability value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Majority of the students 346 (80.5%) and majority of the teachers 20(90.9%) had knowledge of ICT. Respondents had access to the following ICT: computer; students 314(73.0%), teachers 20 (90.9%), Internet; students 343(79.8%), teachers 22(100%) and e-mail; students 248(57.7%) and teachers 17(77.3%). The Internet activities mostly performed by the students were: browsing 386(89.8%), chatting with friends 274(63.7%) and e-mailing 262(60.9%). The Internet activities mostly performed by teachers were: browsing 22(100%), e-mailing 20(90.9%) and downloading articles 18(81.8%). Google is the most common search engine used by students 393(91.4%) and teachers 20(90.9%). High cost of ICT 281(62.2%) and irregular power supply 258(57.1%) were major factors that affect accessibility to and use of ICT negatively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the access to ICT types among teachers and students. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the constraints associated with ICT use among students and teachers. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the use of ICT between students and teachers. Findings of this study revealed that there is still need to provide ICT materials and training at subsidized rate in order to encourage use in university education.