Factors Associated with Utilization of E-Learning Platforms Among Students at Kenya Medical Training College, Vihiga Campus, Kenya

E-learning has become an important component of health professions education because it supports flexible access to learning materials, virtual interaction, academic communication, and continuity of learning beyond the physical classroom. However, effective utilization of e-learning platforms depends on students’ access, knowledge, availability of digital resources, perceived ease of use, and institutional support. This study examined factors associated with utilization of e-learning platforms among students at Kenya Medical Training College, Vihiga Campus. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 73 students using a structured questionnaire administered through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means, were used to analyze the data. The response rate was 100.0%. The findings showed that 77.0% of respondents had used e-learning platforms at KMTC within the previous 12 months. WhatsApp was the most used platform at 49.3%, followed by Zoom Meet at 32.9%, Google Classroom at 15.1%, and email at 2.7%. Mobile phones were the main access devices, used by 80.8% of respondents, while institutional laptops were used by only 1.4%. Students had moderate knowledge of e-learning platform features, with mean scores ranging from 2.878 to 3.095. Digital learning materials were only sometimes available, while institutional laptops and desktops were rarely available. Students perceived e-learning platforms as moderately beneficial, although utilization was constrained by lack of infrastructure, inadequate training, limited familiarity with platforms, classroom control challenges, and limited flexibility. The study concludes that e-learning platform utilization at KMTC Vihiga Campus was associated with platform usage patterns, students’ knowledge, availability of digital learning materials, perceived ease of use, perceived benefits, and perceived challenges. The study recommends strengthening student orientation, improving digital infrastructure, increasing availability of e-learning materials, and enhancing technical support to improve meaningful utilization of e-learning platforms.

E-learning platforms; utilization; health professions education; digital learning; Kenya Medical Training College; Vihiga Campus

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