Constraints related to use of Information Communication Technologies tools among extension officers in the North- West Province, South Africa
Mabe, L. K.
Life Science Journal-Acta Zhengzhou University Overseas Edition 9(3): 1616-1619
2012
Accession: 066270246
Full Text Article emailed within 1 workday
Payments are secure & encrypted
A simple random sampling technique was used to select 169 extension officers to examine the use of information communication technologies among extension officers in North West Province, South Africa. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis. The results show that majority of the extension officers were male (76%) with the mean age of 44.6 years, married (79%) and 82.5% were Christians. Forty one percent of the extension officer had Diploma as their educational qualification and a mean of 16.7 years as working experience. The result revealed that extension officers perceived five of the ten constraints as serious in using ICT's. These specific constraints include: failure of service, poor basic infrastructure that encourages ICT, inability to maintain the ICT, too costly as well as non-availability of technical personnel. Significant determinants of constraints related to ICT use were working experience (t = 1.80, p = .073); awareness of ICT (t = 1.77, p = .078); effect of ICT on information access (t = -2.59, p = .010); officers e-readiness (t = 2.41, p =. 017) and use of ICT (t = 8.59, p = .000). The study recommends that as extension officers become more aware of the use of ICT, the less the constraints related to ICT use will be experienced. [Mabe L K. Constraints related to use of Information Communication Technologies tools among extension officers in the North-West Province, South Africa. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):1616-1619] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 236