CLINICAL PHARMACY AND PHARMACY PRACTICE

The measurement of health status is an important tool or process in assessing the level of the health status of Adults (18-70years) and also to examine the effect of socio-demographic factors (e.g. age, sex, marital status, occupation, educational level, etc.), physical functioning and psychological functioning on Adults and self-reported health status. AIMS: To assess the health status of Adults in Benin city, Edo state (Age 18 – 65+ years). OBJECTIVES: To examine effect of socio-demographic factors e.g Age, sex, marital status, occupation, educational level, physical functioning and psychological functioning on adult health status in Benin city. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to carry out the research. This study was carried out in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria, between December 2021 and January 2022. A total of 547 persons were sampled for the study. Convenience sampling technique was used. The research instrument for this study was a self-developed structured 1-page questionnaire designed in line with the variables to be measured. Data cleaning and processing was done using Microsoft Excel. nferential analysis such as student t-test and one-way Analysis of Variance was done as appropriate with the use of Graphpad Instat 3.0.

Background: Telepharmacy, the provision of pharmaceutical care through telecommunication and digital technologies has emerged as a transformative innovation for improving access to pharmacy services, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. In Nigeria, the concept remains relatively new, and community pharmacists play a central role in its successful implementation. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions is therefore essential for advancing digital healthcare integration. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, toward telepharmacy and identified potential barriers to its adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community pharmacists practicing in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 188 questionnaires were distributed using a convenience sampling technique during professional meetings and on-site pharmacy visits. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering four domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, attitude, and perceived challenges related to telepharmacy. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarized responses, while Chi-square tests determined associations between variables at a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 188 distributed questionnaires, 179 were returned and analysed. Most respondents were male (75.3%), aged 31–40 years (51.1%) and held a B.Pharm degree (57.9%). Knowledge of telepharmacy was generally high: 93.3% acknowledged its availability in Nigeria, and 98.3% agreed it played an important role during global health crises. Perception toward telepharmacy was positive. Attitudinal responses were similarly favourable, with 82.6% expressing willingness to adopt telepharmacy in practice and 87.1% believing it would improve pharmaceutical care in Benin City. However, major challenges identified included poor internet connectivity (96.1%), limited patient digital literacy (84.3%), lack of training (76.4%), high installation cost (68.0%), and patients’ unwillingness to pay for services (62.4%). Years of experience were significantly associated with knowledge level (p = 0.026), while gender influenced perception (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The study revealed high awareness and positive attitudes toward telepharmacy among community pharmacists in Benin City, reflecting readiness to integrate digital technologies into pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, infrastructural and economic barriers particularly unreliable internet services, inadequate training, and low patient acceptance remain critical obstacles. Strengthening ICT infrastructure, developing national telepharmacy guidelines, and providing continuous professional training are necessary steps toward sustainable telepharmacy adoption in Nigeria.

Background: Substance use among university students has become a growing concern, particularly when such use is linked to academic pursuits. This study examines the influence of academic-related substance use on student performance, perceptions, and implications, focusing on undergraduate students in the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin. Academic-related substance use refers to the consumption of stimulants, energy drinks, prescription medications or other psychoactive substances with the intention of improving concentration, alertness or academic productivity. Objectives: The study investigates the prevalence of these substances, student’s motivations for use, perceived academic benefits and the actual academic and health consequences associated with their consumption. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect quantitative data from a representative sample of students (200 - 600 level). The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Among respondents, majority of the respondents (190; 66.0%) reported using substances such as caffeine, prescription stimulants or energy drinks. Among the substances used, caffeine in the form of coffee and energy drinks was the most commonly consumed (159; 55.2%). (107; 37.2%) strongly disagreed that academic pressure encourages substance use. (138; 47.9%) stated that substance use had no impact on their academic performance. The chi-square analysis indicated no statistically significant association between ADHD diagnosis and academic motivation (χ² = 6.252, p = 0.619). Conclusion: The findings revealed a high prevalence of stimulant and caffeine use, primarily driven by academic pressure, accessibility and the perceived need to enhance alertness or concentration

Background: Clinical clerkship potentially serves as an effective approach to enhance pharmacy students' understanding of and attitudes towards pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care (PC) highlights the importance of pharmacists providing patient-centered care Aim of the study: To assess pharmacists’ perception on the inclusion of community pharmacy in clinical clerkship in Benin city, Edo state. Method: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study across 13 community pharmacies in Benin City, A Face-to-face interview with the 13 selected pharmacists was conducted within the community pharmacy premise. Results: Community pharmacists revealed that they provide a wide range of pharmaceutical services. All the preceptors had positive reception of clerkship program and they described the involvement of community pharmacies in clinical clerkship as a welcome development and great innovation as the experiences of the preceptors with the students have been good and fabulous so
far. The challenges associated with community pharmacies involvement in preceptorship include; Unseriousness of students and interference of students' schedule with normal school work, unwillingness of pharmacists to participate, transportation cost, time constraints, little space for one-on-one interaction etc. Some of the areas of improvement suggested by the various
pharmacist include provision of transportation, adequate time for learning and also educating the students what is expected of them. The student performance was generally rated above average (50%), except for P5 which rated student performance based on confidence level below the average (40%).

The Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), recently introduced by the
National Universities Commission (NUC), represents a major shift in the structure and delivery of undergraduate programmes in Nigeria. The curriculum emphasizes competency based training, greater practical exposure, and enhanced skills development. These changes may influence students’ academic experiences and psychological wellbeing. This study assessed the perceived
stress levels and major stressors among second-year pharmacy students undergoing training under the CCMAS framework at the University of Benin.

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity in Nigeria, and community pharmacists are positioned to bridge the documented "profoundly poor" self-care gap in Lokoja. This study evaluated the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Lokoja's community pharmacists regarding evidence-based hypertension management. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated KAP questionnaire, achieving an 88% participation rate (n=44) from the total population (N=50) of community pharmacists in Lokoja. Pharmacists demonstrated a highly positive attitude towards their role (WM=4.70) but perceived their pharmacies as unprepared for these services (WM=3.39). A critical knowledge deficit was identified: 75.8% were familiar with the outdated 2003 JNC 7 guideline, while only 27.3% knew the current 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. This correlated with poor knowledge of current Stage 1 (59.1%) and Stage 2 (54.5%) hypertension definitions. Practice was clearly divided, with high engagement in passive counseling (e.g., "Medication Counseling," 86.4% "Always") but low engagement in systematic, long-term care (e.g., "Documentation," WM=3.48; "Patient follow-up," WM=4.02). A significant knowledge-practice gap exists among Lokoja's pharmacists, driven not by poor attitude but by outdated guideline knowledge and environmental barriers. Mandated CPD on current guidelines and implementation of structured in-pharmacy systems are recommended..

Background Polypharmacy—commonly understood as someone taking five or more
medicines at the same time—has become a major concern in geriatric populations with
chronic diseases, contributing to increased risks of adverse drug reactions, harmful drug
interactions, poor medication adherence, and an overall decline in a person’s quality of life. In Nigeria, where healthcare systems face challenges like reduced access to specialized
geriatric care and increased rates of inappropriate prescribing, the prevalence of
polypharmacy remains understudied. Deprescribing—the supervised withdrawal or dose reduction of unnecessary or potentially harmful medications—offers a promising strategy to
optimize pharmacotherapy, but its implementation is influenced by patient attitudes, healthcare provider practices, and systemic barriers. This study evaluates the extent of
polypharmacy and explores deprescribing opportunities among geriatric patients with chronic
diseases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), a tertiary care facility in
southern Nigeria. Objective: The primary aim was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of polypharmacy in geriatric patients with chronic conditions. Secondary objectives included assessing patients' attitudes toward deprescribing, identifying potentially inappropriate
medications (PIMs) using established criteria (STOPP/START). Method: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted. Participants were geriatric greater than 60 years. Data were collected using structured questionnaires containing demographics information, medication use, patients’ attitude towards deprescription and an investigator filled portion containing details on comorbidities, specific medication (including
OTC), Patients diagnosis, PIMs. The PIMs were identified using the START/STOPP criterial. Statistics analysis used were descriptive (frequencies, means, percentage) with inferential
statistics (chi square) to explore association between polypharmacy and factor like age, comorbidities etc RESULTS: The results from the study shows of the 240 geriatric patients (mean age 70.38 ±
4.13 years; 56.3% male) at UBTH, Nigeria: Sociodemographic: Predominantly 60–79 years
(96.6%), with primary/secondary education (75.4%). Comorbidity Count: 86.7% had ≥1
comorbidity (most common: 2–4); significant age variation (χ²=27.487, p=0.025). Polypharmacy: 74.2% (178 /240) on ≥ 5 medications; moderate positive correlation with comorbidities (r=0.517, p<0.01; χ²=215.89, p<0.001) . No gender difference. PIMs: 20% (48/240) had ≥1 PIM (72.9% inappropriate use, 27.1% d rugs to avoid); increased with drug
count ( highest at 8 drugs: 69.2%; χ²=46.091, p<0.001). Deprescribing Attitudes: Highly
positive (mean score 3.70 ± 0.31); 98% trusted doctor, 93.3% willing to stop meds if advised, 65.5% felt over-medicated, 68.4% concerned about side effects. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy is alarmingly prevalent (74.2%) among elderly Nigerian patients with chronic multimorbidity, strongly linked to comorbidity burden and associated with a high rate of PIMs (20%). Patients exhibit strongly positive attitudes toward deprescribing, driven by trust in physicians. Routine PIM screening (STOPP criteria) and
physician-led deprescribing interventions are urgently needed to reduce pill burden, minimize
risks, and increase quality of life in this vulnerable population

Background: - Herbal medicine, defined as the therapeutic use of plants and plant-based products, has long played a vital role in African healthcare systems. In Nigeria, where approximately 70–80% of the population depends on traditional remedies, medicinal plants such as Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, and Ocimum gratissimum are commonly used for managing diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite their popularity, concerns remain regarding their clinical efficacy, safety, dosage standardization, and possible interactions with conventional anti-diabetic drugs. Objectives:- This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and pattern of herbal medicine use among diabetic patients and to evaluate their knowledge regarding these therapies. Methods:- A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), specifically in the Consultant Outpatient Department (COPD) and Consultant Outpatient Department–National Health Insurance Scheme (COPD–NHIS). A total of 205 diabetic patients participated through structured interviews and questionnaires. Data were
analyzed to determine the prevalence of herbal medicine use and the level of awareness among respondents. Results:- It shows that the majority of participants (93.2%) were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. About one-fifth (20%) of the respondents reported using herbal medicines alongside conventional therapy, while 14.6% were currently combining both forms of treatment at the time of the study. Only a small proportion demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding the efficacy, safety, and potential interactions of herbal products with prescribed medications. Conclusion: - the study revealed a moderate prevalence of herbal medicine use among diabetic patients, often in combination with standard anti-diabetic drugs. These findings highlight the
need for enhanced patient education, improved regulation, and strengthened pharmacovigilance to ensure the safe and effective integration of herbal medicine into diabetes management in Nigeria.

Background: Access to safe drinking water is a critical global concern. In Benin City, Nigeria, the quality of drinking water has been a recurring issue due to pollution and inadequate treatment facilities. This study investigates the water purity situation in Benin City and explores potential solutions. Objective: To investigate the quality of drinking water and water purification methods
employed. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving assessment of water purification, quality and treatment services of 125 participants from five local government area. A semi- structured questionnaire sequel to obtaining ethical approval and patient’s consent was employed to collect qualitative data from 125 participants in order to gather information on current water treatment practices and community perceptions. Results: From the study, seventy-seven participants 61.6% (n=77) did not use water treatment method at home and out of the 38.4% that treated their water, 58.9% used boiling as a method of water treatment. Surveys revealed that participants (84%, n=105) were convinced that their water should be free off any form of contamination, but a low adoption of water treatment methods at home among residents. Conclusion: The quality of drinking water among majority of individuals is below standard and the practice of water purification is poor. Addressing these issues is essential for safeguarding public health and enhancing the overall quality of life in the city.

Alcohol has been reported to be frequently used among commercial drivers
in western societies. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use among long
distance commercial drivers in Benin City. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among commercial drivers
from randomly selected parks in major local government (Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba Okha) in
Benin City. Data was collected using a well-structured, questionnaire developed from
previous literatures review. The instruments consist of different parts, namely demographic;
prevalence of use of alcohol and reasons for alcohol use, analysis was mainly descriptive. Results: Majority (83.78%) used alcohol. Most of the reported alcohol used was spirit
(67.57%), beer (15.54%). Those (77.7%) with income rate less than N50,000 tends to
consume spirit while those (9.5%) with income rate of N100,000 and above tends to consume
more of beer. Less than half (42.6%) of the respondents reported to have injured as a result of
drinking. Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrated that large population of drivers consume
alcohol prior to driving and this has negative impact on the safety and health status of the
drivers. It should be recommended that the sale of alcohol in the bus parks should be
prohibited and defaulters should be punished.