Relevant local content, social influence, digital literacy, and attitude toward the use of digital technologies by women in Uganda

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between relevant local content, social influence, digital literacy and the attitude of women toward the use of digital technologies in Uganda. Quantitative research methods were used to collect, analyze and present the data from a sample of 384 women across Uganda. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis methods. Findings reveal a positive significant relationship between social influence, digital literacy, relevant local content and the attitude of women toward the use of digital technologies in Uganda. To improve the attitude of women toward using digital technologies in Uganda, there is a need for the community to approve of women’s usage of digital technologies in different sectors of the economy. It is also important for various stakeholders to work toward improving women’s digital literacy through education programs aimed at teaching women how to use digital media. Localized digital content should also be created in a language that women can understand in order to enhance adoption. Social environment factors such as social norms, values and beliefs should focus toward encouraging women’s usage of digital media over the long-practiced tradition of excluding women from using digital media and other technologies.

Keywords:

• Relevant local content
• social influence
• digital literacy
• attitude
• digital technologies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bonface Abima

Bonface Abima is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Makerere University Business School with a Master of Information Technology from Makerere University. His main research interest areas are e-health interoperability, gender digital inclusion and ICT4D.

Benard Engotoit

Benard Engotoit is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Makerere University Business School with a Master of Information Technology from Makerere University. His main research areas include e-health usability, e-agriculture, digital literacy, digital inclusion and ICT4D.

G. Mayoka Kituyi

G. Mayoka Kituyi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Makerere University Business School and holds a Doctorate of Information Technology from the ICT University, Cameroon. His main research areas include information systems design for sustainability, telecommunication pricing, system dynamics, e-health and telemedicine, e-learning, e-government, digital divide and digital inclusion.

Robert Kyeyune

Robert Kyeyune is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Computing and IT at Makerere University Business School and holds a Doctorate of Information Technology from the ICT University, Cameroon. His main research areas include information systems design for sustainability, e-agriculure adoption, ICT4D and digital inclusion.

Michael Koyola

Michael Koyola has a of Master of Business Administration from Makerere University with research interests in digital inclusion and ICT4D.