Purpose This study aims to examine the factors affecting behavioural intention to use E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study applies the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) to identify the factors that predict intention to use E-learning. Also, the study examines the effect of personal innovativeness in information technology and perceived financial cost on intention to use E-learning. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative study design involving 617 university students. The data was collected through an online survey due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The proposed hypotheses were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings The study found that personal innovativeness in information technology, perceived financial cost, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation and social influence have a significant effect on the intention to use E-learning. Contrary to expectation, habits, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions did not predict intention to use E-learning. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted on university students and did not include other school-going students and working professionals. Also, the study sample was not drawn from many universities. The study used a quantitative approach. The use of a mixed-methods approach could provide deeper insights into the factors affecting the intention to use E-learning in developing countries. Practical implications The practical implications inform policymakers and educational institutions on how E-learning adoption can be enhanced. In this context, social influence, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, personal innovativeness and perceived financial cost are identified as predictors of intention to use E-learning. This study has implications for the development of E-learning systems and the promotion of the use of E-learning in the context of developing countries. Originality/value The study is amongst the few studies from a developing economy to use the UTAUT2 model to examine students’ intention to use E-learning. The study proposes the inclusion of personal innovativeness in information technology and perceived financial cost as factors predicting intention to use E-learning. Again, the study adopts importance-performance matrix analysis to provide decisional areas where management may improve for successful E-learning acceptance and use.

The study examined the impact of the school feeding programme on access to basic education in the South Tongu district in the Volta Region, Ghana. A convergent parallel mixed method research design was employed to conduct the study. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were used to select 213 respondents for the study. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion were used to collect the data for the study. Data gathered through questionnaires was analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies while interview data analysis was done using the thematic approach. The results of the study showed that the school feeding programme has a significant impact on increased enrolment, attendance and retention of pupils in the South Tongu district. However, the implementation of the programme has put pressure on teaching and learning materials as well as increased teacher-pupil ratio. The study recommended that plans and measures should be put in place by the government, implementation ministries and agencies on how to increase existing human, physical and financial resources for the school feeding programme to be sustained.

BackgroundInformation technology has become an inevitable, constitutive element of the healthcare institution as well as health education. This study investigates the effects of mobile phone use in clinical practice at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The use of mobile phones to access health information by health professionals has the potential to improve the provision of health service to the population. In addition, primary care physicians can use mobile phones to communicate with their patients before and after they are discharged, thereby improving the health of individual patients and the population at large.MethodThe study adopted the cross-section survey design and obtained data using questionnaire from 100 medical students (medical, nursing and midwifery students) through purposive sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-square were used for the analysis.ResultsThe results show that 98% of the respondents owned smartphones, thus, they are receptive to and can confidently use their phones to access medical information (65%). It also emerged that, respondents can render effective and continuous service to clients (90%) with assistance from mobile medical apps. Respondents dispelled fears that it was unethical to always depend on mobile apps for medical information. However, there was no significant relationship between using mobile apps to access medical information and ensuring effective and continuous service to clients (p≤ 0.937).ConclusionIn spite of high patronage of mobile phone, respondents maintained that accessing mobile phones during medical practice does not interfere with the service delivery, rather it facilitates effective and continuous service, speed up access to healthcare information and helps to increase knowledge as well as improve care giving skills. Mobile phone use can ensure quick communication between health facilities and health professionals which can help control diseases of public health concern thereby improving the health of the population.

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The study examined the influence of the school feeding programme on access to basic education in the South Tongu District in the Volta Region, Ghana. Mixed method research approach was employed to conduct the study. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were used to select 213 respondents for the study. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect the data for the study. Data gathered through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies while interview data analysis was done using the thematic approach. The results of the study showed that the school feeding programme has a significant influence on increased enrolment, attendance and retention of pupils in the South Tongu District. However, the implementation of the programme has put pressure on teaching and learning resources as well as increased teacher-pupil ratio. The study therefore, recommended that the government, implementation ministries and agencies should increase the existing human, physical and financial resources for the school feeding programme to be sustained.