COLLEGE OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant public health concern globally, affecting individuals across various occupations, and academic staffs are at risk of Work related musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their work which involves prolonged sitting, repetitive tasks, and ergonomic challenges in their workplaces. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Musculoskeletal symptoms and identify the key determinants contributing to these symptoms among academic staff in university of Benin, Edo state. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select 14 faculties in UNIBEN, and 180 lecturers were randomly selected from each faculty. An adapted version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic data and MSK symptoms, while descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of Chi square were used to summarise and analyse data respectively. Alpha level was 0.05. Results: This study showed that musculoskeletal symptoms were most prevalent in the upper back (50.3%), closely followed by knee (41.3%), lower back (40.2%) and neck (37.4%). Gender and BMI status had significant association with Musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.05). Conclusion: The burden of musculoskeletal disorders among academic staff of the University of Benin was common, with gender and BMI having significant association with Musculoskeletal symptoms. Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, Musculoskeletal symptoms, Prevalence , Determinant

The study was conducted to assess the adherence to haemodialysis and associated factors among end stage renal disease patients in Nephrology unit in a tertiary facility in Benin. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the knowledge of the importance of haemodialysis among ESRD patients, to ascertain the level of adherence to haemodialysis and associated factors by ESRD patients. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The sample of the study consisted of the two hundred patients attending a nephrology unit in tertiary hospital in Benin. The researcher used a standardized instrument known as the End stage renal disease adherence questiinaire (ESRD-AQ) by Kim et al 2010, was administered to the patients and all (200) questionnaires were retrieved. Demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics – frequency and percentage, chi-square were used to test for relationship between level of adherence to haemodialysis and level of knowledge, independent samples t-test was used to test the significant difference been level of adherence and gender, multiple logistic regression was used to predict he association between the level of adherence and socio-demographic variables. Majority of the respondents have low knowledge on the importance of haemodialysis. The study showed that most of the respondents 73.5% have low level of adherence to haemodialsys, 20% have moderate level of adherence while 6% of the respondents have high level of adherence to haemodialysis. Factors associated with adherence to haemodialysis is lack of transportation, financial constraint,forgetfulness etc. There is an association (p<0.05) between the level of adherence and level of knowledge. There is no significant difference (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and gender. There is an association (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and socio-demographic characteristics. The study recommended that there is the need for structured teaching programme that will improve the knowledge of patients undergoing hemodialysis regarding dietary management and skin care in renal failure thereby preventing life threatening complication and prolonging their life.

Urinary tract pathogens are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, prompting interest in plant-derived bioactive agents. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and antibacterial potential of Cinnamomum tamala bark extracts against selected clinical isolates. Dried bark samples were subjected to aqueous and ethanolic extraction, followed by phytochemical screening using GC–MS analysis. Antimicrobial activity was carried out using ditch plate and agar well diffusion methods, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined via agar dilution techniques. The ethanolic extract demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, with zones of inhibition ranging from 8.25 ± 4.8 mm at 50 µg/mL to 21.75 ± 2.93 mm at 800 µg/mL, showing significant differences across concentrations (p = 0.034). The aqueous extract exhibited no effect at low concentrations but was active at higher concentration, producing inhibition zones up to 6.50 ± 3.77 mm, significantly different across groups (p < 0.001). MIC results indicated stronger activity for the ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli (12.5 µg/mL), compared to the aqueous extract, which required higher concentrations (100–200 µg/mL) across organisms. Similarly, ethanolic MBC values ranged between 25–100 µg/mL, significantly lower than the consistent 200 µg/mL required for the aqueous extract. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, andphenols in both extracts, while saponins and glycosides were exclusive to the aqueous extract, and steroids and resins were unique to the ethanolic extract. GC–MS analysis identified major constituents including Squalene (21.13%), 9- Octadecenoic acid (17.62%), and 13-Octadecenal (16.89%) in the ethanolic extract, while the aqueous extract was dominated by 9- orabicy clo[3.3.1]nonane (28.24%) and Cyclopropane derivatives (17.04%). These findings highlight the potent antibacterial efficacy of C. tamala ethanolic extract, particularly against E. coli, with activity linked to its terpenoid and fatty acid constituents. The results suggest that C. tamala may serve as a promising source of natural antimicrobials.

Exposure to industrial dust has been linked to respiratory and systemic toxicity. Ceramics dust, a common occupational contaminant, contains particulate matter that may induce structural and biochemical alterations. This study aimed to investigate the histological changes in the larynx and some haematological and biochemical parameters in adult Wistar rats following exposure to ceramics dust. Twenty-four (24) adult Wistar rats with weight ranging from 120–200g were grouped into four groups (A, B, C and D). The rats in Group A served as the control, the rats in Groups B were exposed to 5g of ceramics dust (low dose), the rats in Group C were exposed to 10g of ceramics dust (medium dose) and the rats in Group D were exposed to 20g of ceramics dust (high dose) for a duration of 1 hour daily for 30 days. At the end of the exposure period, rats were sacrificed, laryngeal tissues harvested for histological assessment, and blood samples collected for haematological and biochemical analyses, including RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, and bicarbonate levels. Histology revealed dose-dependent inflammatory infiltration in exposed groups. Haematological analysis showed dose-dependent decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit, with a more significant decrease in the WBC count of the high dust exposure (20g) when compared with the control group. Biochemical assessment indicated elevated urea levels and decreased bicarbonate levels, suggesting renal and systemic effects of ceramics dust. These findings indicate that ceramics dust exposure causes structural damage to the larynx and alters some haematological and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. The study underscores the potential health risks of occupational ceramics dust exposure and highlights the need for protective interventions in industrial settings.

Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene are fundamental pillars of public health, influencing the well-being and productivity of individuals, especially in academic settingslike universities. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of female students at theUniversity of Benin towards these crucial aspects of health, with the aimof understandingtheir knowledge, attitude and factors regarding hygiene practices and sanitation. Atotal of 264 female students participated in this research, which utilized a structured questionnaireto gather data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The results revealed that while(53%) students generally possessed fair knowledge about sanitation and hygiene, therewere notable gaps in specific areas, such as menstrual hygiene and waste disposal practicesby (28.7%). Furthermore, despite recognizing the importance of personal hygiene, (27%)students' practices were often influenced by various socio-cultural and environmental factors, creating a gap between awareness and actual behavior. The researcher suggests theneed for targeted health education programs, better sanitation facilities, and aholisticapproach to improving hygiene practices on campus. The findings provide valuable insightsfor healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to develop interventions aimedat enhancing students' health literacy and improving their overall hygiene practices, thuscontributing to a cleaner and healthier campus environment.

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) defined Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. CVDs include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. And are the leading cause of death globally, causing, -an estimated 17.9 million deaths in 2019 alone, which represents 32% of all global deaths. Heart attacks and strokes account for more than four out of five deaths from CVDs, about of which one-third of these deaths happen prematurely among adults under the age of 70 years (World Health Organization, 2021). In Africa, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly CVDs, are highly prevalent (Minja et al., 2022). In addition to contributing to 22.9 million Disability- Adjusted Life Years (DALY) and 38.3% of fatalities associated with NCDs, CVDs have the highest burden among those under 30 years. Currently, the burden of CVDs has increased by about 50% in Africa (Ka et al., 2024). Similarly, NCDs remains a leading cause of death, with an age-standardized rate of 567 deaths per 100,000 people in Nigeria. This figure has surpassed deaths from infectious diseases, maternal issues, new-born conditions, and malnutrition (Bollyky et al., 2017).

Clinical placements form a very integral component of radiography education; it is the link between theoretical knowledge and practical application. In recent years, the advancement in imaging technology such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and fluoroscopy amongst many others have required a higher level of technical proficiency from radiographers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical placement duration on University of Benin radiography students’ proficiency in carrying out advanced imaging modalities. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 300lv-500lv Radiography student of the university of Benin who had gone through clinical posting through a structured and validated questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, clinical placement duration, and student’s proficiency in performing advanced imaging modalities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square) with a level of significance set at p< 0.05. A total of 208 radiography students participated inthe study, findings revealed a positive and statistically significant correlation between longer clinical placement duration and higher reported proficiency in CT and MRI (p<0.05), while the association was weaker for fluoroscopy and mammography. Students with ≥12 weeks cumulative posting in advanced imaging units demonstrated significantly higher confidence and task-execution ability compared to those with shorter exposure. Insufficient hands-on opportunity, equipment downtime and high patient load limiting student participation were reported as major constraints to skill acquisition. The study concludes that the duration and frequency of clinical placement have a significant impact on radiography students’ proficiency in performing advanced imaging procedures.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which often leads to complications such as increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and imbalances in serum phosphate concentrations. Picralima nitida, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, has shown potential antidiabetic and biochemical regulatory effects. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of P. nitida on glycated hemoglobin and serum phosphate concentrations in male Wistar rats after a controlled feeding period. A total of [40] male Wistar rats were divided into experimental groups, including a control group and treatment groups receiving varying doses of P. nitida extract. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention to assess HbA1c levels and serum phosphate concentrations. The results revealed a significant reduction in HbA1c levels in treated groups compared to the control, indicating improved glycemic control. Additionally, P. nitida administration didn’t influenced serum phosphate concentrations. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Picralima nitida in diabetes management and its possible impact on phosphate metabolism. Further studies are recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms and confirm its clinical applicability.

Azanza garckeana , a plant native to Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as parts of West Africa, is traditionally renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly its role in enhancing male reproductive health. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Azanza garckeana (AGE) against lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. This specific objectives evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of Azanza garckeana , as well as its effects on various physiological and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. The objectives also included assessing changes in body and organ weights, oxidative stress markers, and male reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone) across experimental groups. Additionally, sperm analysis was conducted, and the impact of A. garckeana aqueous extract on the histology of testes in lead acetateinduced rats was examined. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Group A served as the control, receiving only feed and water. Group B was exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of lead acetate. Group C received 400 mg/kg BW of AGE only, while Group D was administered 800 mg/kg BW of AGE. Group E received a combination of 400 mg/kg BW of AGE and 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate, and Group F received 800 mg/kg BW of AGE alongside 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate. The maceration method was employed to extract the plant’s bioactive components, as it is a simple and effective technique that ensures optimal recovery of phytochemicals while preserving their integrity for analysis

Plasmodium berghei, a rodent malaria parasite, has been widely employed as a model for studying malaria-induced pathophysiology. This study investigated the hematological and biochemical alterations associated with graded parasitemia in albino rats experimentally infected with P. berghei. Sixteen (n = 16) female albino rats weighing 130–174 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4 per group): a control group (uninfected) and three treatment groups infected with low (~1 × 10²), medium (~1 × 10⁴), and high (~1 × 10⁶) concentrations of parasitized red blood cells (iRBCs). Inoculation was performed intraperitoneally and animals were monitored for 42 days under standard housing conditions. Hematological parameters, including WBC, RBC, Hb, PCV, and differential leukocyte counts, were assessed using an automated hematology analyzer, while serum electrolytes, urea, and creatinine were measured to evaluate renal function. The results revealed significant changes in hematological indices across groups (p < 0.05). Rats in the high-infection group showed marked leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and monocytosis, alongside reductions in RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume compared to controls. Lymphocyte percentages were significantly elevated in mediumand high-infection groups, whereas eosinophil counts were markedly reduced in all infected groups. Biochemical analysis indicated a significant rise in serum urea levels in infected groups (p = 0.019), while serum creatinine remained unchanged (p = 0.184). These findings suggest that P. berghei infection induces dose-dependent hematological derangements and renal functional alterations, with elevated urea serving as a potential biomarker of malaria-associated renal stress. Further studies are recommended to delineate the mechanisms linking parasitemia severity to hematological and renal pathology.