Evaluation of anatomy students knowledge of information communication technology in Nigerian universities

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has accelerated many aspects of medical education acquisition, driving it towards more evidence-based platforms. We undertook to evaluate anatomy students’ knowledge of computers and information communication technology application in the various departments of anatomy in medical schools. This survey was implemented using questionnaire research instrument and involved 300 students who attended the 12th Annual Conference of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomist of Nigeria (SECAN) in March, 2012. Data were collected, analyzed and represented in percentages and tables. Two hundred and twenty five (90%) respondents have heard of ICT before, while 198 (79.2%) agreed to the use of ICT in their school. The most common uses of ICT in the various schools included internet-based registration of courses 144 (72.7%), surfing of the net at internet cafe 111 (56.1%), and power point lecturing 88 (44.4%). A total of 210 (84%) thought ICT leads to better understanding of lectures, 225 (90%) said it leads to better class participation and interaction while 237 (94.8%) were of the view that it makes it easier to demonstrate and understand diagrams. Many thought that poor and irregular electricity supply 244 (97.6%) and inadequate ICT equipment 172 (68.8%) were amongst factors that discouraged ICT usage in Anatomy Departments of Medical Schools in Nigeria. While ICT awareness was high amongst respondents, poor infrastructure like electricity remained a major challenge.   Key words: Information Communication Technology (ICT), medical, anatomy, students.