Internet literacy skills of community pharmacists in Lagos State, Nigeria
| Pages | 242-252 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-08-2018-0082 |
| Date | 11 March 2019 |
| Published date | 11 March 2019 |
| Author | Stella Ngozi Anasi,Folasade Olufunke Lawal,Abiola Paul-Ozieh |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Internet literacy skills of
community pharmacists in
Lagos State, Nigeria
Stella Ngozi Anasi
Library Department, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Folasade Olufunke Lawal
Pharmacy Department, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria,
Lagos State Chapter, Lagos, Nigeria, and
Abiola Paul-Ozieh
Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter,
Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –Community pharmacists need good retrieval skills and competencies for effectiveuse of online
information resources for professional practice. This study aims to ascertain the internet literacy skills of
communitypharmacists in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach –A survey research design was adopted for the study. Convenience
sampling technique was used in selecting community pharmacists. Questionnaire was the instrument used
for data collection,whereas descriptive and inferentialstatistics were used for data analysis.
Findings –The study revealed that community pharmacists possess requisite internet literacy skills for
effective use of online health information resources. There is a positive relationship between informational
and operationalinternet literacy skills [r= 0.820, p(0.000) <0.05], informationaland strategic internet literacy
skills [r= 0.838, p(0.000) <0.05] and operationaland strategic internet literacy skills [r= 0.810, p(0.000) <
0.05]. There is a statistically significantgender difference in the level of skillfulness in internet use based on
self-reported skills. There is a significant relative contribution of demographic variables (gender, age,
educational qualificationand number of years in professional practice) to the level of skillfulness in internet
use among communitypharmacists.
Practical implications –To improve the use of online internet resources,the Association of Community
Pharmacists of Nigeria,Lagos Chapter, should conduct training needs assessment regularlyto offer the right
levels of internet use skills.They must be proactive and incorporate training on computerand internet skills
into their annual conferencesand zonal meetings. They should also prepare and give internet use manuals to
their members to read and understand how to use the internet more effectively. Community pharmacists,
especially thefemale pharmacists, should also take advantageof free online training sessions called webinars
to improve theirinternet literacy skills to cope with rapid changesin the e-environment, as well as to boost the
quality of health-careservices delivery. Pharmacists’Councilof Nigeria, the agency responsible for regulating
and controlling the education, training and practiceof pharmacy, should include an internet literacy skills
module in theMandatory Professional Continuing EducationProgramme.
Originality/value –The study investigatedthe internet literacy skills of communitypharmacists in Lagos
State and identified the gendergap in level of skillfulness. This study also explored the relationship between
level of skillfulness and internet use, as well as the relationship between community pharmacists’
informational,operational and strategic internet literacyskills.
Keywords Internet use, Nigeria, Demographic variables, Community pharmacists,
Internet resources, Internet literacy skills
Paper type Research paper
ILS
120,3/4
242
Received15 August 2018
Revised31 January 2019
Accepted1 March 2019
Informationand Learning
Sciences
Vol.120 No. 3/4, 2019
pp. 242-252
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-08-2018-0082
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