Defining Technology and ICTs in this study

In this chapter, I want to define the concept of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in my area of research. New technologies also known as ICTs (Rogers, 1986). are especially important in modernizing a developing or an already modern society. It transcends the idea of being merely hardware and equipment. It is a series of organizational structures and social values from which individuals gather, process and exchange information with other individuals. Certain communication technologies go back centuries, such as mass media technology that is designed with the potential to meet mass audiences, such as talking drums, pictographs and radios, etc.

The word technology is derived from the Latin root “texere”, which means to weave or construct. The perception of technology should therefore not be limited to just machines, even though this narrower meaning is implied in the everyday spoken word. Rogers (1983) defined technology as a design for instrumental action that reduces the uncertainty in the cause-effect relationships that are involved in achieving a desired outcome. This notion suggests that technology is comprised of various elements, which usually consist of the hardware aspect (the constitution of material and physical aspects) and the software aspect (that is, the information base for the software). However, because of the visible nature of hardware, i.e., computers, conductors, televisions, we often think of technology in the most linear terms, which is much more than just an isolated autonomous force (Slack, 1984).

The transfer and the exchange of information make ICTs extend past the human senses of sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing, because they allow individuals to reach out through

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space and time (McLuhan, 1985). ICTs provide a window on the world, and so distant events and information are closer to human beings because of the direct access through global computer networks, which provide a variety of information and communication filters and facilities through interconnected networks with standardized protocols - also known as the Internet (Slevin, 2001). The term Internet is often used for a specific type of ICTs, any device used for the global network or computer networks that are based on IP/TCP protocols. The category of the Internet/ICTs is not one specific network, but a phenomenon of the interconnection of knowledge-based technologies and network based systems (Fuchs, 2007). For the purpose of this enquiry, ICTs should be seen and defined as a collection of interconnected systems comprising of various mechanisms and relationships that should positively foster delivery and access to health care. These will include the use of computers, Internet, radio, television, mobile phones, smart phones, General Pocket Radio Service (GPRS), Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), Telemedicine, and other appliances that can be used to provide access to health care delivery.

ICTs have significantly altered the nature and impact of work and organizational structures in the health care industry. The use of text-based and synchronous technologies, such as emails and mobile technology, mentioned above, have become ubiquitous social tools for many people, especially the younger generation – in fact, they have been dubbed “Generation Text” (Lin et al., 2007). Email based instant messages (IMs) and short messaging services (SMS) have become a huge phenomenon. There are also forums and online chat rooms covering various topics, such as health care, the economy and politics, where people engage in multiple conversations, either one-to-one, or in a group, to converse on various topics. Some of these online sites have also incorporated graphic social environments, thus making it easier to communicate. This widespread adoption of ICTs in the form of SMS, chat forums, IM, suggests that these social interaction technologies are useful and with the motive of gaining information for gratification. This was earlier expressed in the “Uses and Gratification Theory” (Blumler and Katz, 1974), which is an audience-centred approach to communication based on ICT usage.

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Traditionally, there has been extensive research on the role of ICTs in health care delivery from the supply side, i.e., the services that are required of health care workers, the tools needed for teaching, training and working, and not on the demand side, which are the end users, who are the patients and other client groups. Studies from the 2008 Ghana Health Survey Demography, examined the effects of women’s access to ICTs for maternal health. The variables employed were contraception provision and use, antenatal care, and place of delivery. This proved that the use of ICTs was both positive and significant, especially with the use of mobile technology, radio awareness campaigns and televisions. ICTs have the capacity to influence the diffusion and demand for information (Abekah-Nkrumah et al., 2014). Health programmes in developing countries have focused on child survival initiatives through preventive maternal health services, based on evidence that shows that the utilization of ICTs for health services resulted in substantial improvements in outcomes (Elo, 1992). In a review of various health care implementations and evaluations, Blaya et al. (2010) concluded that the greatest potential that health care could possibly have would be improved communications between the provider and the seeker of health services through support, medication ordering, management and patient monitoring for improved health care and regimens. It is pertinent to acknowledge that the end users’ perspective is beginning to receive consideration in the developed world; however, there is limited literature on the developing world especially sub-Saharan Africa ( Abekah-Nkrumah et al., 2014).