Factors Influencing Utilisation of E-learning Platforms among Students in Selected Kenya Medical Training College Campuses in the Upper Eastern Region
Timothy Osiru Okatta
*
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Imenti Campus, Meru County, Kenya.
Nancy Mbinya Munywoki
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Imenti Campus, Meru County, Kenya.
Kitiyo Simon
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Imenti Campus, Meru County, Kenya.
Patrick N. Njagi
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Imenti Campus, Meru County, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
E-learning has become an important component of health professions education, but effective use depends on more than access to digital platforms. This study examined factors influencing utilisation of e-learning platforms among students at three Kenya Medical Training College campuses in the Upper Eastern region: Embu, Maua and Isiolo. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using proportionate stratified random sampling by year of study. A structured questionnaire was administered to a target sample of 380 students, and 336 complete responses were obtained, representing an 88.4% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. Digital infrastructure had the lowest mean rating (M = 2.98), followed by e-learning utilisation (M = 3.24) and digital literacy (M = 3.34), while attitudes and perceptions had the highest mean rating (M = 3.54). All three predictors were positively and significantly associated with utilisation. Attitudes and perceptions showed the strongest correlation with utilisation (r = .719) and were also the strongest independent predictor (β = .549), followed by digital literacy (β = .198) and digital infrastructure (β = .101). Together, the predictors explained 56.1% of the variance in utilisation. The findings indicate that positive attitudes, digital competence, reliable connectivity and technical support are important for strengthening e-learning utilisation among KMTC students.
Keywords: E-learning, KMTC, digital literacy, digital infrastructure, technology acceptance model, Kenya, health professions education