INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS AND STUDENTS’ HEALTHCARE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN EDO STATE

Abstract

The global outbreak of Covid-19 in late 2019 and early 2020 altered how information and communication technology platforms and devices were used. Virtual learning was incorporated into traditional classrooms by schools, digital marketing platforms were purchased by marketers, online transactions increased in financial services, online ticketing was purchased by transportation companies, and so forth. People adopted digital technology as a way of life as a result of this. Most locals became heavy users as a result. Has this had a negative impact on Edo State citizens' access to healthcare in the post-COVID-19 era? The goal of this study is to determine whether digital technologies have any detrimental effects on students' access to healthcare in Edo State's institutions of higher learning. Three research questions and hypotheses were presented and developed to direct this investigation, and the survey research methodology was chosen. For this study, 900 respondents were chosen using the basic random sample approach. The Digital Technology and Healthcare Questionnaire is the tool used to gather data (DTFHQ). At the 0.05 level of significance, the hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). It was shown that students' health in postsecondary institutions is significantly impacted by their usage of ICT technologies. It is advised that the usage of ICT tools in many spheres of life be moderated in light of these findings. Furthermore, it is advised that medical professionals and home managers conduct an awareness training regarding the potential health risks associated with the use of ICT technologies.