title: Knowledge and utilization of computer-software for statistics among Nigerian dentists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of computer soft ware for generation of statistic analysis has transformed health information and data to simplest form in the areas of access, storage, retrieval and analysis in the field of research. This survey therefore was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and utilization of computer software for statistical analysis among dental researchers in eastern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires on the use of computer software for statistical analysis were randomly distributed to 65 practicing dental surgeons of above 5 years experience in the tertiary academic hospitals in eastern Nigeria. The focus was on: years of clinical experience; research work experience; knowledge and application of computer generated software for data processing and stastistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-two (62/65; 95.4%) of these questionnaires were returned anonymously, which were used in our data analysis. Twenty-nine (29/62; 46.8%) respondents fall within those with 5-10 years of clinical experience out of which none has completed the specialist training programme. Practitioners with above 10 years clinical experiences were 33 (33/62; 53.2%) out of which 15 (15/33; 45.5%) are specialists representing 24.2% (15/62) of the total number of respondents. All the 15 specialists are actively involved in research activities and only five (5/15; 33.3%) can utilize software statistical analysis unaided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has i dentified poor utilization of computer software for statistic analysis among dental researchers in eastern Nigeria. This is strongly associated with lack of exposure on the use of these software early enough especially during the undergraduate training. This call for introduction of computer training programme in dental curriculum to enable practitioners develops the attitude of using computer software for their research.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. ichiefn2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Chukwuneke
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Anyanechi
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Obiakor
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Amobi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Onyejiaka
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alamba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056808:Biostatistics; D003197:Computer Literacy; D018865:Dental Research; D003813:Dentistry; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D009549:Nigeria; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires