Technophobia among Female Undergraduate Students: A Challenge to Attainment of the MDGs in Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether technophobia exists among female undergraduate students of Imo State University and find out the effects and ways of overcoming technophobia. Study design: Descriptive survey study. Place and Duration of Study: Imo State University, Owerri in the Southeast zone of Nigeria, duration of about one academic session, between September 2009 and May 2010. Methodology: Two hundred female undergraduate students (100 Science students and 100 arts students) were randomly selected for the study. Three research questions and one null hypothesis served as guide to the study. A questionnaire designed by the researchers was used to illicit responses from the subjects. Mean scores, standard deviation and t-test were used for analyzing the data collected. Results: The findings showed that technophobia exists among female undergraduates, and this can pose a serious threat to attainment of Millennium Development Goal 3. This study also revealed that technophobia does not affect the students’ choice of course but affects their academic performance and knowledge base negatively. Technophobia can however be prevented by early exposure of females to computer use, possessing personal computers, providing computer facilities in school, and lecturers giving computer-based assignments/projects. Conclusion: A check on technophobia may enhance gender equality and women empowerment in this era of ICT.