Title: Prevalence and Correlates of Technostress among Academic Staff at the University of Jos, Nigeria
Authors: Okonoda, K.M, Tagurum, Y.O, Imo, C.O, Nwachukwu V.A, Okoli E.S, James B.O
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.57
Abstract
Background: Technostress is one aspect of stress on the job which in turn is increasingly recognized as a major organizational problem. The considerable amount of time spent on the computer and electronic gadgets by academic staff portends significant increase in levels of psychological and physical stress capable of interfering with their performance at work leading to less efficiency.
The aim of this study was to find out the level of awareness, prevalence and correlates of technostress among academic staff of University of Jos.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken. Multistage sampling method was used to select academic staff in the 12 faculties of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Data Collection was with the use of a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire
Results: Almost half (48.6%) of the respondents had no idea of what technostress was, while only 31.3% of respondents knew what it was and had understanding of it. The prevalence of technostresswas 54.2%, and the respondents who have over 20years work experience are at least 3 times more likely not to report technostress compared to those less than 10years. Slow internet network, increased workload, pressure to stay up to date and work efficiently with the latest technology, lack of technical support and unreliability of technology were other factors contributing to technostress in increasing frequency. However, no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) was found to exist between technostress and respondents’ age group, gender, attendance of technology related training, average number of hours spent per day on technological devices, years of using computer gadgets (p=0.05).
Conclusions: There is a low level of awareness of technostress among academic staff of University of Jos. The prevalence of technostress among respondent was slightly above half. In general, the respondents had a moderate level of technostress. The more the work experience and the lesser the likelihood of experiencing technostress and the lower the levels of it experienced. However, the age and gender of academic staff as well as the number of hours spent per day on a technological device, attendance of technology-related training as well as years of computer gadgets use did not significantly affect their experience of technostress.
