Uptake, Barriers, and Determinants of e-Learning Among University Students in Selected Low Income Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa Amidst the COVID-19 Disruption: An Online Survey

Background: The Coronavirus pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the widespread closure of schools in the affected countries with a phased reopening over time. The objective of this study was to determine the uptake, barriers, and determinants of e-learning among university students in Uganda and Nigeria following the COVID-19 disruption in 2020. Methodology: A total of 240 respondents comprising University students participated in this survey. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered structured online questionnaire using Google documents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v.21 with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: The modal age group was 21-25 years at 128 (53.3%) participants, uptake of e-learning was 159 (66.3%). The majority of respondents used a smartphone (98.8%) for the internet, with WhatsApp platform (63.7%) as the most frequently used for e-learning. Barriers to e-learning, as self-reported by respondents, were the cost of internet services (82.1%), internet inaccessibility (68.8%), lack of institutional support (47.1%), and lack of training (40.8%). Determinants of e-learning were age (p<0.001) and sex (p=0.026). Conclusion: Two thirds of the university students had ever been taught online before the lockdown. Barriers to e-learning were mainly the cost of internet services and internet inaccessibility. Age and sex of respondents were determinants of e-learning use among University students. It is recommended that students be trained and facilitated by the Universities to adopt e-learning effectively. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa and the relevant sectors in the economy should improve the ICT infrastructure, internet accessibility, and facilitate reduction in the cost of services.