Dimensions of Computer-Based Internet Technology Technophobia among Agricultural Extension Personnel in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine the dimensions of Computer-Based Internet Technology (CBIT) technophobia among extension personnel in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, it identified respondents: personal characteristics; incidence of CBIT technophobia, level of CBIT technophobia and identified factors influencing CBIT technophobia. The study hypotheses tested: the relationship between personal characteristics and the levels of CBIT technophobia and the difference in CBIT technophobia between Field Extension Personnel (FEP) and Supervisory Extension Personnel (SEP). Simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data was generated from primary source through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings show that 57.8 % of the respondents were male, 91.7% were married and their mean age was 43 years. Also, while 79.5% respondents constituted FEP, 64.4% were graduates and the mean household size was six (6). Mean monthly income of respondents was revealed to be N73, 108.00, while 62.8% had no formal computer training. It was also revealed that 83. 9 % respondents had moderate CBIT technophobia, while predisposing factors to CBIT technophobia were revealed to encompass; human, operational, learning anxiety, lack of exposure and experience, technology, environment and self-efficacy indices. Hypotheses revealed that educational level influenced CBIT technophobia, although no significant difference was observed between FEP and SEP respondents with regard to CBIT technophobia. The study concluded that level of education influences CBIT technophobia. It was recommended that training and exposure to the use of CBIT should be given to extension personnel to ameliorate the effect of CBIT technophobia.