SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF ELECTRONIC MAIL AWARENESS AND USE BY EDUCATED OLDER ADULTS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of socio-demographic variables on email awareness and use by educated older adults in three locations (urban, semi-urban, and rural areas) in Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 167 older adults who were above 60 years of age. Findings showed that across the three settings, older adults’ email awareness was likely higher among young older adults who earned above N100,000 monthly and were computer literate, whereas, email use was likely higher among older adults who were males, with good health and computer literate. For urban older adults, email awareness included being male, highly educated, and in good health, while email use only included being young. Semi-urban adults’ email awareness included being highly educated and in good health. Rural older adults’ email use included being young and with higher education. However, computer literacy was the strongest predictor of email awareness and use in all three locations. Findings have shown that older adults are not a homogeneous group with similarities in their online behaviours. Hence, more interventions are required so that older adults can be more active in online activities as their use of different ICT tools for online activities can ease some of the problems associated with age-related limitations of engaging in outdoor activities.   Keywords: Socio-demographic factors, Digital well-being, E-mail use, Educated Older adults, Oyo State Nigeria