Publications by University of Ibadan Library Staff
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Item Technology ease of use and adoption for open and distance learning: challenges from rural Nigerian communities(2025) Oseghale, O.; Babarinde, B. A.Perceived ease of use is a critical determinant of technology adoption and effective utilization, particularly in educational contexts. While previous studies have primarily linked ease of use to factors such as system design, training, and user support, the influence of technology availability, accessibility, individual differences, and geographic location has received comparatively little attention. This study examined the perceived availability, accessibility, and ease of use of technology among Open and Distance Learning (ODL) students residing in rural communities across Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 453 students through a structured questionnaire designed to measure their perceptions of technology-related variables. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions, means, and percentages, were employed for data analysis. The findings indicated that ODL technologies were generally perceived as available (mean = 3.31 > 3.0), accessible (mean = 3.12 > 3.0), and relatively easy to use (mean = 3.03 > 3.0). However, students reported several challenges that hindered effective technology utilization, such as erratic power supply, poor internet connectivity, high data costs, and financial constraints. These infrastructural, economic, and skills-related barriers were found to significantly limit both access to and effective use of ODL technologies. The study concludes that improving technology availability and usability requires targeted investment in digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity, and continuous digital literacy training. It further recommends that ODL platforms be designed with user-centered principles to promote inclusivity and ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities for learners in underserved rural communitiesItem Managing deviant behaviours among undergraduate student users of Federal University Libraries in Southwest, Nigeria(2022) Oseghale, O.This study investigated the causes, prevalence and effect of deviant behaviours among undergraduate student users of Federal university libraries in Southwest, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey research design, 108 librarians from the six Federal university libraries participated in the study. A self-devised structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed and results presented using table of descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that deviant behaviours are opportunistic crimes caused by situational factors including a pervasive view that there is little or no danger of being caught, Porous library security, Poor illumination, lack of vigilance on the part of the employees and feeling that there is little or no punishment when caught. The findings of the study showed that the prevalent deviant behaviours which include stealing, mutilation, defacement of library materials, rudeness to library staff and misuse of library computers, can affect sustainable library growth, destroy library materials, frustrate librarians efforts, affect library image and cost taxpayers money. They reduce library’s service capacity, quality of library resources/ services, increase educational inequality, discourage library usage and reduce users’ perceived value of library services. The study suggests that situational crimes occur when the perceived cost is low and the net benefits associated with the crime is high. Therefore, managing situational crimes in the library implies achieving a balance between situational factors that increase the criminal’s perceived cost and those that decrease the criminal’s perceived benefit. The study recommends the establishment of student disciplinary and counselling units in addition to increasing the cost of crime and the risk of getting caught by increasing library security and imposing stiffer penalties for offenders in order to minimising crime commissioning among undergraduate students in federal university libraries.Item Digital information literacy skills and use of electronic resources by humanities graduate students at Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Nigeria(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2023) Oseghale, O.; Ola, C. O.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of digital information literacy (DIL) skill and use of electronic resources by humanities graduate students at Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses the survey research design and 200 graduate students from the 12 departments that made up the Faculty of Arts in the University of Ibadan participated in the study. A self-devised structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. A pilot questionnaire was first sent to a small random sample of the respondents, with feedback used to fine-tune the final questionnaire. Respondents were requested to rate their level of proficiency in the use of digital devices, web-based tasks, information finding, evaluation and utilisation of available e-resources and challenges encountered. Ethical consideration of informed consent, institutional permission, confidentiality and anonymity of participants was strictly followed. Data collected were analysed and result presented using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentage, mean and inferential statistics such as regression analysis and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient were used to test the research question and hypothesis, respectively. Findings – Humanities graduate students at the University of Ibadan possessed high level of DIL skills in respect of digital devices usage, web-based tasks, information finding and evaluation, but low in e-resources utilisation. This study identified inadequate knowledge of e-resources availability, irregular internet access, inadequate training on e-resources utilisation, inadequate staff assistance, lack of continuity in e-resources subscription and paucity of local contents in the e-resources as main challenges encountered by graduate students in the use of e-resources. To ensure that those who can most benefit from e-resources utilisation are not further marginalised, this study recommends that active steps should be taken to increase e-resources awareness, regular internet access, training/support, continuity of e-resources subscription and increased local content so that all may benefit from the opportunities of the information age. Originality/value – This paper has demonstrated that DIL skills can enhance effective utilisation of eresources if users have adequate knowledge of e-resources availability, regular internet access, adequate training and assistance on e-resources utilisation, continuity in database subscription and adequate local contents e-resources.Item Teaching high school students to use online consumer health resources on mobile phones: outcome of a pilot project in Oyo State, Nigeria(Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2019-04) Ajuwon, G.A.; Ajuwon, A.J.This project evaluated the outcomes of training high school students to deliver consumer health information to their peers. A total of 120 students selected from 7 high schools in Oyo state, Nigeria, received 8 hours of training on consumer health literacy and peer education, which is a process of training volunteers to deliver health information to their peers. The training included hands-on activities using the students’ own mobile phones. After the training, peer educators distributed leaflets, showed consumer health information (CHI) websites to others, counseled and referred fellow students, and submitted forms describing these activities. All peer educators completed pre- and post-tests, and 10 were interviewed 4 months after training. After the training, the authors found improvement in the trainees’ knowledge of CHI resources and understanding of their roles as peer educators. Most peer educators (72.5%) delivered CHI to their peers after the training, primarily through sharing websites on teen health and other CHI resources. In the interviews, all peer educators reported direct benefits from participating in the project, and many stated that they knew where to find reliable health information. Volunteer high school students can be trained to deliver CHI to their peers using mobile phones.Item International Perspectives and Initiatives(Health Information & Libraries Journal,, 2015) Ajuwon, G.A.; Sulemani, S.B.; Afarikumah, Ebenezer; Aggrey, S.B.; Ousmane, DialloThis is the 15th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. It is the third of four articles pertaining to different regions in the African continent. The present issue focuses on countries in West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal). The next feature column will investigate trends in North Africa.Item Internet Accessibility and Use of Online Health Information Resources by Doctors in Training Healthcare Institutions in Nigeria(Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)., 2015-05-20) Ajuwon, G. A.The Internet is a global network of networks that enables computers of all kinds to directly and transparently communicate throughout the world. It is described as a global network and an 'Information Super-highway' (Computer Hope 2010). It is defined as a world-wide broadcasting capability, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium for collaboration and interaction between individuals and their computers without regard to geographical location (The Internet Society 2010). The internet is indeed a major technological breakthrough of our time. The Internet is a popular source of health information for health care providers and consumers. It has been recognized by many as an important mechanism for transforming medical care. The internet affords healthcare practitioners unprecedented access to huge volume, high quality, current and relevant health care information. Among currently available technologies only the Internet has the potential to deliver universal access to up-to-date health care information (Godlee, Pakenham-Wash et al. 2004). Accurate and up-to-date information is vital to maintain quality of health care. During the past decade, many health information resources have been developed and available online for use by health care professionals. The Internet has been used by healthcare professionals to obtain and share large amounts of medical information and to monitor diseases. The knowledge of the Internet as an important health information resource for physicians have greatly improved during the past decade as a result of patterns of use and medical impact measures (Bennett, Casebeer et al. 2004 ). The Internet has enabled health care practitioners to obtain and share health information and to track and monitor diseases (Centre for Disease Control 2003). In addition, it has made it easy and possible for physicians throughout the world to collaborate, communicate, and interact with each other (Manhas 2008). The Internet has brought about flexible communication between patients and doctors by empowering patients with information. It has also revolutionized the compilation, assessment and distribution of information relating to healthcare (Slattery 2008). In the last two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the volume of healthcare information published online. The amount of online health information available to users keep growing on daily basis than can ever be imagined ten years back. A great variety of information resources are now available and accessible online. These include among others search engines (Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista, Lycos, Mama, etc) databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, African Index Medicus), portals, gateways, digital archives, libraries and institutional repositories. Recent, reliable, quality and up-to-date healthcare information are also available in websites of academic and health institutions, professional associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, some governmental and not-for-profit organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Bioline International have digital archives for free full-text articles. Also available online are medical dictionaries, encyclopedias, abstracts and indexes, bibliographies, atlases, videos and drug information sources. Many of these information resources that provide accurate and reliable health care information for medical doctors are results of increase in the pace of healthcare research (Mckibbon, Fridsma et al. 2007) Information is worthless if it is not used. Availability of information is one thing, access to and use of the available information is another (Odutola 2003). According to Dervin and Nilan, “information use” is a process whereby the user tries to make sense of discontinuous reality in a series of information use behavior (Dervin and Nilan 2003). Systems that are not utilized do not result in expected efficiency and effectiveness gains (Agarwal and Prasad 1999). Availability of eresources has changed what users actually read and use; they tend to use what is easily accessible (Renwick 2005). The use of information varies among individuals, and professionals depending on their information needs and status. An important consideration in the process of health information gathering is accessibility and use of such information.Item Computer and internet use by first year clinical and nursing students in a Nigerian teaching hospital(BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2003-09) Ajuwon, G.A.The internet is an important source of up-to-date medical information. Although several studies in different countries have explored the extent to which health science students use the computer and the internet, few researches are available on this subject in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess the uptake of computer and internet by health science students studying in the country. One hundred and eighty three first year medical and nursing students of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, completed a-25 item questionnaire during routine Library Orientation Program in the medical library. The EPI-Info software was used for data analysis. Results: The mean ages for medical students and the student nurses were 22 and 24.6 years respectively. Overall, 42.6% of the entire sample could use the computer, 57.4% could not. While more than half (58%) of the medical students are computer literate, majority (75.9%) of the student nurses are not. Slightly more than two thirds (60.7%) of the entire students had ever used the internet, 33. 9% had not. E-mail was the most popular of internet services used by the students (76.4%) and the cyber café was the common place where students had accessed these services. The students' mean scores on a 15-point perceived self-efficacy scale for internet-related tasks was 3.8 for medical and 0.7 for nursing students (p = 0.00). Students who are computer literate had superior mean scores (4.8) than those without (0.6) (p = 0.000). First year clinical and nursing students in Ibadan Nigeria have not fully utilised the opportunity that the use of computer and internet offer for medical education. Improved efforts such as inclusion of computer education in medical and nursing curricular and establishment of computer laboratories are required to increase the student's access to computers and internet.Item The level of Internet access and ICT training for health information professionals in sub-Saharan Africa(Health Information and Libraries Journal, 2008) Ajuwon, G.A.; Rhine, LennyInformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are important tools for development. Despite its significant growth on a global scale, Internet access is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Few studies have explored Internet access, use of electronic resources and ICT training among health information professionals in Africa. The study assessed Internet access, use of electronic resources and ICT training among health information professionals in SSA. A 26-item self-administered questionnaire in English and French was used for data collection. The questionnaire was completed by health information professionals from five Listservs and delegates at the 10th biannual Congress of the Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA). A total of 121 respondents participated in the study and, of those, 68% lived in their countries’ capital. The majority (85.1%) had Internet access at work and 40.8% used cybercafes as alternative access points. Slightly less than two-thirds (61.2%) first learned to use ICT through self-teaching, whilst 70.2% had not received any formal training in the previous year. Eighty-eight per cent of respondents required further ICT training. In SSA, freely available digital information resources are underutilized by health information professionals. ICT training is recommended to optimize use of digital resources. To harness these resources, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations must play a key role.Item HINARI Usage Patterns and Trends in Nigerian Universities in Five Years (2010-2014)(African Journal of Biomedical Research, 2016-09) Ajuwon, G.A.; Titiloye, M.A.The digital divide is a global challenge. The Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) is one of the most successful efforts aimed at bridging the digital divide in access to health information in developing countries. Despite the availability of this resource free of charge to not-for-profit institutions in developing countries, few studies are available that investigate its usage patterns and trend in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from HINARI server located in the WHO Library in Geneva. The data were the yearly log and statistics of usage of HINARI in universities in Nigeria from 2010 to 2014. The collected log data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive statistics including frequency counts, percentages and bar charts were used. More (68.0%) public than private (32.0%) universities in Nigeria are registered with HINARI. Of the registered institutions, (37.0%) are located in the South-West zone. A total of 201,110 user’s accessed HINARI resources in universities in the six zones across the country during the five-year period. While universities in the South-West zone recorded the highest (63.4%) users, those in the North-East had the lowest (3.1%). The highest (97,229) number of HINARI users in Nigerian universities was recorded in 2012 while the lowest figure occurred in 2014. This study shows that HINARI was used in universities in all five geo-political zones in Nigeria however, usage trends revealed a sharp decline in 2014. Further studies are recommended to determine alternative sources used by students, researchers and healthcare providers to meet their information needs.Item Use of the Internet for health information by physicians for patient care in a teaching hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria(Biomedical Digital Libraries, 2006-12) Ajuwon, G.A.The Internet is the world's largest network of information, communication and services. Although the Internet is widely used in medicine and has made significant impact in research, training and patient care, few studies had explored the extent to which Nigerian physicians use Internet resources for patient care. The objective of this study was to assess physicians' use of the Internet for health information for patient care. 172 physicians at the University College hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria; completed a 31-item, anonymous, standardized questionnaire. The Epi-Info software was used for data analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 31.95 years (SD 4.94). Virtually all (98%) the respondents had used the Internet; 76% accessed it from cyber cafes. E-mail was the most commonly used Internet service (64%). Ninety percent of the respondents reported they had obtained information from the Internet for patient care; of this number, 76.2% had searched a database. The database most recently searched was MEDLINE/PubMed in 99% of cases. Only 7% of the respondents had ever searched the Cochrane Library. More than half (58.1%) perceived they had no confidence to download full-text articles from online sources such as the Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI). Multiple barriers to increased use of the Internet were identified including poor availability of broadband (fast connection speed) Internet access, lack of information searching skills, cost of access and information overload. Physicians' use of the Internet for health information for patient care was widespread but use of evidenced-based medicine resources such as Cochrane Library, Up-to-date and Clinical Evidence was minimal. Awareness and training in the use of EBM resources for patient care is needed. Introduction of EBM in the teaching curriculum will enhance the use of EBM resources by physicians for patient care.