2025

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of disability, particularly among individuals in physically demanding occupations like market trading. Market women in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Benin City, are exposed to risk factors such as prolonged standing and heavy lifting, yet many do not access orthopaedic physiotherapy services. This study aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators influencing their access to these essential services. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 374 market women selected via convenience sampling from markets in Oredo LGA. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation), with the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: The study found a high prevalence of MSDs among respondents, with low back pain (80.5%), general body pain (80.7%), and joint pain (79.7%) being the most common. Key barriers to accessing physiotherapy included long waiting times (70.1%), distance to clinics (56.2%), and lack of awareness (53.4%). Major facilitators were affordability (81.3%), proximity of services (79.1%), and positive social testimonials (77.6%). Socio-demographic factors such as education and awareness significantly influenced service utilization, while income and marital status had less impact. Conclusion: Market women in Oredo LGA experience a high burden of MSDs, but their access to physiotherapy is hampered primarily by systemic and informational barriers. To improve utilization, community-based awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and strategies enhancing affordability and proximity are recommended.

Wastewater drains within university hostels can serve as reservoirs for various microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens that pose significant health and environmental risks. Among these microbes, Klebsiella species—especially Klebsiella oxytoca—are notable for their ability to survive in damp environments and their resistance to multiple antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and identify Klebsiella spp. from wastewater drains in male hostels (Hall 3 and Hall 4) at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were aseptically collected from four designated drain points—two each from Hall 3 and Hall 4—using sterile 500 mL bottles. The samples were transported in ice-packed coolers to the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, for bacteriological examination. Standard microbiological methods were used to enumerate, isolate, and identify bacterial species based on their cultural, morphological, and biochemical features. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.82 to 4.87 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, reflecting high microbial loads in all the sampled drains. Total Klebsiella counts varied between 5.75 to 6.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, with the highest found at Hall 4 Point A and the lowest at Hall 3 Point A. The identified bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Notably, Klebsiella oxytoca appeared consistently across all sampling points, indicating its strong adaptability to wastewater environments. The findings underscore that hostel drainage systems can act as reservoirs and transmission routes for potentially pathogenic and environmentally persistent bacteria. Regular sanitation and effective wastewater management are therefore essential to minimize environmental contamination and associated public health risks.

Efficient management of oil reservoirs requires accurate prediction of reservoir performance and optimization of recovery strategies. This study focuses on the simulation and performance analysis of a waterflooded oil field using Computer Modelling Group (CMG) software. Waterflooding, a secondary recovery method, is applied to sustain reservoir pressure and enhance oil displacement efficiency after primary depletion. In this research, a threedimensional reservoir model was constructed using geological, petrophysical, and production data, incorporating rock and fluid properties such as porosity, permeability, viscosity, and relative permeability curves. The simulation was performed using CMG IMEX, a black-oil simulator, to evaluate reservoir behavior under both natural depletion and water injection scenarios. The results from the base case simulation indicated a gradual decline in oil production rate due to reservoir pressure depletion, while the waterflooded case demonstrated a significant improvement in oil recovery performance. The initial oil production rate before flooding was approximately 1500 STB/day, which declined to 500 STB/day before water injection. After waterflood initiation, oil production increased to about 1450 STB/day, accompanied by a gradual rise in water cut from 10% to 70% over the simulation period. Cumulative oil recovery improved from 25% under primary recovery to approximately 45% with waterflooding, indicating a 20% incremental recovery due to secondary recovery efforts. The study highlights the importance of reservoir simulation tools such as CMG in designing and optimizing waterflood operations, predicting production performance, and evaluating reservoir management strategies. It concludes that waterflooding remains one of the most efficient and economical methods of improving oil recovery in mature fields when properly designed using robust simulation techniques.

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has heightened the interest in medicinal plants as potential sources of bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and antibacterial activity of ethanol leaf extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis (commonly known as Hospital-too-far) against selected clinical bacterial isolates. Leaves of J. tanjorensis were collected from the University of Benin Botanical Garden and authenticated in the herbarium of the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli were obtained from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids in high concentrations, while tannins and saponins were present at lower levels. Quantitative analysis showed phenols as the most abundant compound (129.31 µg/ml), followed by tannins (100.57 µg/ml), flavonoids (46.97 µg/ml), alkaloids (9.33%), and saponins (3.17%). Antioxidant evaluation demonstrated significant activity, with Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of 219.08 µg/ml and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) of 2607.27 µM. The extract also exhibited dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity, with 48.97% inhibition at 10 µg/ml and 69.60% at 100 µg/ml. Antibacterial assessment revealed broad-spectrum activity, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being most susceptible (zone of inhibition: 18 mm at 30 µg/ml), while Escherichia coli and S. aureus showed moderate inhibition. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranged from 20–30 µg/ml, indicating bacteriostatic effects at lower concentrations and bactericidal activity at higher doses. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates confirmed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of the plant extract. Overall, Jatropha tanjorensis leaves contain bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, supporting its traditional use and potential application in combating resistant bacterial infections.

This study examines the impact of nutrition on the cognitive development of young learners (aged 3–8 years) in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, yet malnutrition and poor dietary habits remain prevalent, threatening children's intellectual and academic potential. The study evaluates how variables such as breakfast consumption, micronutrient intake, and dietary diversity influence the cognitive performance (memory, attention, and problem-solving) of these learners. Employing a descriptive survey design, data will be collected via structured questionnaires and cognitive assessments from a sample of pupils, parents, and teachers across public and private primary schools in Oredo LGA. The gathered data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tools (Chi-square and Regression Analysis). Anticipated findings are expected to show a significant positive correlation between a balanced diet and high cognitive responsiveness, while highlighting academic deficits among undernourished children. Consequently, the study recommends the implementation of sustainable school feeding programs in Oredo LGA, mandatory nutritional education for parents, and regular community health screenings to ensure optimal cognitive growth in early learners.

This study investigated the impact of gender roles on educational opportunities among senior secondary school students in Edo State, Nigeria. It focused on how cultural beliefs, family decisions, economic factors, institutional practices, and curriculum content influence access to and participation in education. A descriptive survey design was used, and data were collected from 208 students through a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that cultural and social norms still favor boys’ education over girls’, as family decisions and economic challenges often prioritize the boy child. Girls were found to bear heavier domestic responsibilities, which affect their school attendance and performance. Institutional factors such as teacher attitudes and classroom practices also reinforced gender bias, while the curriculum lacked adequate representation of both genders. The study concluded that gender roles significantly shape educational inequality in Edo State through social, cultural, and institutional influences. It recommended community sensitization, financial support for female students, gender-sensitive teacher training, and curriculum reform to promote equity in education.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence suggests that changes in trace elements, particularly copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in preeclampsia pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia attending a tertiary health clinic in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A case –control design was employed involving 80 participants consisting of clinically diagnosed preeclamptic patients and age- and gestational –age –matched normotensive pregnant women. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum Cu, Zn and Se levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools such as the student t test, with significance set at p<0.05. Preliminary findings indicate that preeclamptic women exhibit significantly higher Cu levels and reduced Zn and Se concentrations compared to controls, suggesting an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant trace elements. These alterations may exacerbate oxidative stress, contributing to disease severity. The results underscore the importance of Cu, Zn, and Se as potential biochemical markers in the assessment and management of preeclampsia. Further large –scale studies are recommended to explore their predictive and therapeutic implications in pregnancy –related hypertensive disorders

As the world continues to embrace cleaner and smarter energy solutions, there's a growing need for tools that not only design microgrids but also make them smarter, more responsive, and easier to manage. This project introduces an Intelligent Microgrid Management and Optimization System — a desktop application built with Python — designed to help users plan, optimize, and monitor solar-powered microgrid systems more efficiently. What sets this tool apart is its ability to pull live weather data (like sunlight levels and temperature) using the OpenWeatherMap API. With this, it can predict how much energy your solar panels might generate and how much power you’ll need, thanks to built-in machine learning models. The system then uses a genetic algorithm to figure out the best combination of solar panel size and battery capacity to meet your energy needs while keeping costs low. The application runs through a simple and responsive user interface (built with PyQt6), offering features like real-time graphs, a weather dashboard, and system control panels. It also supports SCADA-style monitoring, so users can see power generation, battery status, and energy demand in real time. Overall, this tool is designed to be both smart and user-friendly, making it useful not just for engineers and developers, but also for students, researchers, and organizations working on renewable energy solutions.

C. albicans remains a major opportunistic pathogen implicated in superficial and systemic infections, often exacerbated by antifungal resistance. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of ethanolic turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) extract and its combination with Lactobacillus bulgaricus secondary metabolites against clinical isolates of C. albicans. Fresh turmeric rhizomes were authenticated and extracted using ethanol, yielding 3.43% dried extract, while secondary metabolites of L. bulgaricus were prepared from probiotic cultures. Standardized clinical isolates of C. albicans (n = 5) were obtained from wound swab, high vaginal swab (HVS), ear swab, catheter tip, and urine samples collected at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) assays. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square, ANOVA, and independentsamples t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results revealed that ethanolic turmeric extract inhibited C. albicans growth in a concentration-dependent manner, with 40.0% inhibition at 25mg/0.25mL and 60.0% inhibition at both 50mg/mL and 100mg/0.25mL (p < 0.05). Combination with Lactobacillus metabolites enhanced inhibition to 60.0% at 25mg/0.25mL and 80.0% at both 50mg/0.25mL and 100mg/0.25mL, though overall differences between extract alone and the combination were not statistically significant (p = 0.749). Fungicidal activity was more at higher doses, with ethanolic extract achieving 100.0% inhibition at 200mg/0.25mL, while the combination exhibited earlier fungicidal effects, reaching 100.0% inhibition at 100mg/0.25mL. Isolate source influenced susceptibility, with High vaginal swab isolate showing highest sensitivity (MIC: 75.0%), while urine isolates were most resistant (MIC: 0.0%) (p = 0.044). These findings demonstrate that ethanolic turmeric extract possesses antifungal activity against C. albicans, which is further enhanced when combined with L. bulgaricus secondary metabolites. The dose-dependent inhibition observed suggests potential synergistic effects, though statistical comparisons did not reveal significant superiority of the combination over the extract alone. This highlights the therapeutic promise of plant–probiotic synergy as a natural alternative to conventional antifungals in the management of candidiasis. Further in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations are recommended to optimize dosage and evaluate clinical applicability.

The study goal was focused on examining the impact of social media use on interpersonal relationships among couples. In achieving the study goal, specific objectives were developed that include: investigating the opportunities and potential problems created by social media usage on interpersonal relationships among couples; assessing the preference for social media on interpersonal relationships among couples as a means of communication; and ascertaining the impact of social media use on interpersonal relationship among couples. Adopting the survey research design, the primary source served as the means of gathering the study's data. Data collected from respondents using a questionnaire was then used for additional analysis. This study also used the snowballing sampling technique. From the entire population, 110 people who are or have been in relationships were chosen as a sample using the snowballing method, though 109 respondents actually competed the questionnaire. The questionnaire, which allowed for the collection of data from respondents, served as the survey research instrument. Utilising both descriptive and inferential statistics, the study found that among other things, distraction was the common factor that affected couples that are engrossed in the use of social media. The study therefore concludes that some of the challenges arising in interrelationship among couples and affect their relationships include distraction, easy communication, sharing of information, staying connected, entertainment and suspicion of distrust. Despite recognising some benefits, the study recommends that couples should be open to each other despite on the extent of the use of social media.