COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Background: There are over a million users globally, contact lenses are particularly popular
among women and younger individuals. While advances in lens technology have improved
safety, complications such as microbial keratitis can occur, especially when proper hygiene
practices are neglected. Despite educational efforts, adherence to care guidelines remains low. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of contact lens wearers towards
contact lens hygiene and complications among students of University of Benin, Benin-City. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized for this study. Four hundred participants were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data were
collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising both opened
ended and closed questions. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 and a p < 0.05 was
considered significant. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.7 years (±2.539 years) with a predominance of
females (82.7%) and Christians (98.8%). Most respondents were single (99.0%) and the largest
ethnic group represented was Benin (49.8%). The majority of participants (22.8%) had myopia, while 42.0% wore contact lenses primarily for vision correction. Knowledge of proper contact
lens use varied, with better understanding among those aged 23-25 and from the Medicine
department. Despite high awareness of cleaning practices, adherence remained low, with 51.7%
cleaning their lenses daily. Most respondents identified infected lenses as a major cause of
complications, and signs included itching and blurred vision. The study highlights the need for
improved education and adherence to hygiene practices to mitigate risks associated with contact
lens use among students.

This study evaluated the knowledge, perceptions, and challenges regarding the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in X-ray reporting among 60 radiographers professionals in Edo State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. The results indicated a moderate level of foundational knowledge (Mean = 6.12 out of 10), with strengths in macro- concepts but weaknesses in understanding specific AI tools ( 40.00% ) and limitations/bias ( 45.00% ). Overall perceptions were positive and optimistic (Mean = 3.65 ), with strong agreement that AI should serve as a supportive tool (Mean 4.35) to enhance workflow efficiency (Mean 4.30). Inferential analysis revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) between knowledge and favorable perception, confirming that education drives professional acceptance. However, the adoption of AI faces severe structural barriers: Lack of infrastructure (e.g., high-speed internet) was ranked as the most frequent challenge (Mean 4.10), followed by high implementation costs and insufficient training. The study concludes that while the human capital in Edo State is willing and ready to adopt AI, systemic infrastructural and educational deficits represent the primary obstacles. Targeted investment in Industrial Training infrastructure and mandatory specialized training are essential to transition AI from theory to reliable clinical practice.

among households was 383 (76.6%). Food insecurity was higher among respondents aged ≥65 years (86.4%; p = 0.010), married respondents (85.7%; p = 0.004), those with primary education (95.3%; p < 0.001), retired respondents (94.3%; p = 0.017), and those with skill level 2 (85.8%;p < 0.001). It was also higher in households with monthly income ≤ ₦180,000 (84.1%; p < 0.001)and monthly food expenditure ≤ ₦100,000 (82.5%; p < 0.001), and among respondents with good perception of food insecurity (81.5%; p = 0.008). Married respondents had higher odds of food insecurity (OR = 2.135; p = 0.008). Higher education (OR = 0.272; p = 0.017), employment (OR = 0.210; p = 0.012), higher skill level (OR = 0.458; p = 0.001), and home ownership (OR =0.592; p = 0.040) were associated with lower odds, while increasing number of children increased the odds of food insecurity (OR = 1.236; p = 0.047). Overall, 57.2% of respondents had good knowledge of food insecurity, and 52.0% had a good perception of food security.Knowledge of food insecurity was associated with marital status, where a higher proportion of respondents who were not married had good knowledge (66.4%; p = 0.020). Higher proportions of respondents with monthly household income ≤ ₦180,000 (63.3%; p = 0.003) and those who spent ≤ ₦100,000 on food (61.7%; p = 0.010) had good knowledge of food insecurity. Marital status was associated with lower odds of good knowledge (OR = 0.505; p = 0.007). Higher education increased the odds of good knowledge (OR = 2.351; p = 0.005), while higher skill level reduced the odds of having good knowledge (OR = 0.657; p = 0.036). Perception of food insecurity was associated with level of education, where a higher proportion ofrespondents with tertiary education had good perception (55.7%; p < 0.001). A higher proportion of respondents with access to a nearby food market also had good perception (55.0%; p < 0.001). Higher education increased the odds of good perception (OR = 3.380; p < 0.001), while access to a nearby food market increased the odds of good perception (OR = 2.777; p < 0.001). Food

Background: Medical students experience disproportionately high rates of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and burnout, yet mental health service utilization remains strikingly low. At the University of Benin, despite the availability of counselling and psychiatric services, little empirical data exists on students' awareness, accessibility perceptions, utilization patterns, and barriers to care. Objective: To examine the awareness, accessibility, utilization, and perceived barriers related to mental health services among medical students at the University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 medical students selected through stratified random sampling from all six years of the MB;BS program. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of mental health services, perceived accessibility, utilization patterns, and barriers to care. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age was 22.4 years (SD ± 3.1), with a slight female majority (52.2%). Good overall awareness of mental health services was observed in 59.3% of students, with 76.7% aware that University of Benin provides mental health services. However, practical knowledge gaps existed: only 55.8% knew service locations and 58.2% understood confidentiality provisions. Perceived accessibility was positive among 91.8% of students, though only 48.5% found operating hours convenient. Actual utilization was extremely low (12.9%), with peer support groups (45.1%) and helpline/online support (45.1%) being the most used services. Academic pressure (11.3%) and depression (7.0%) were the commonest reasons for seeking ~ xvi ~ Commented [NM1]: Awareness of what? help. Barriers were widely endorsed: confidentiality fears (79.1%), fear of judgment (78.7%), perceived ineffectiveness of services (77.4%), and lack of time (76.3%). Significant predictors of good accessibility and awareness included: male sex (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27–0.98, p = 0.042) for lower odds of good accessibility, and monthly allowance below ₦60,000 (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48–0.98, p = 0.037) for lower odds of good awareness. Conclusion: Despite goodawareness and favorable accessibility perceptions, mental health service utilization among medical students at the University of Benin is critically low, driven by intersecting stigma-related, practical, and cultural barriers. Urgent institutional interventions are required to address confidentiality concerns, time constraints, and socio-demographic inequities to bridge the treatment gap. Keywords: Mental health services, medical students, awareness, accessibility, utilization, barriers, University of Benin, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection with specific high-risk strains associated with cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria. Despite the availability of vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix, HPV vaccination has yet to be fully integrated into the National Immunization Schedule.Expanding access and coverage is crucial to reducing HPV-related disease burden. This research work gives insight into the importance of HPV vaccination, improving HPV vaccination uptake and its potential impact on public health. OBJECTIVES: This research work assessed the knowledge, uptake, barriers and measures that promote HPV vaccination among undergraduates in the University of Benin. METHODOLOGY:Adescriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 569 respondents from the School of Medicine, University of Benin using stratified sampling technique. Relevant data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26, with level of significance set at p < 0.05.RESULTS: The mean age in this study was 21.29 ± 2.6, with more females 288(50.6%) than males 281(49.4%). Majority (76.8%) had heard of HPV, 69.8% had heard of the HPV vaccine,but only 5% had received it. Significant factors associated with knowledge of the HPV vaccine were gender and academic level, with females (p=0.001), and 200-level students (p<0.001) demonstrating greater awareness. Regarding uptake, age was a significant factor, with respondents aged 16-19 showing better uptake than those aged 20-26 (p=0.005). Key barriers to vaccine uptake were lack of awareness (31.3%), sexual inactivity (20.4%), and logistical issues like inaccessibility of the vaccine (27.4%) and cost (12.5%). Promoting vaccination could be achieved through increased access to vaccines via university health centers (90.7%), incentives (90.0%), and student-led campaigns (84.5%). CONCLUSION: While knowledge of HPV is relatively high, actual vaccine uptake remains very low among undergraduates due to misconception, cost and logistical challenges. Improving vaccination rates require education, logistical support and incentives. Enhanced health campaigns and university-based programs can greatly increase vaccine uptake. Keywords: Human Papillomavirus, HPV vaccine, knowledge, barriers, undergraduates, vaccine uptake

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are illnesses primarily spread through sexual contact. They include treatable infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, as well as incurable but manageable conditions like HIV, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perception of STIs among adolescents in secondary schools within Ekosodin community, Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive research design was adopted, involving 525 senior secondary students from four public schools, with a sample size of 397 selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, validated by the supervisor, and tested for reliability using the test-retest method. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts and percentages, with results presented in tables. Findings revealed that most adolescents (78.36%) were aware of STIs, and a significant proportion (85.48%) recognized that risky sexual behaviors increase vulnerability to infections, leading to serious health consequences. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that STI education be integrated into school curricula and that awareness campaigns through media be strengthened.

BACKGROUND: Globally, COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a major public health concern and has had severe, wide-reaching effects on the functioning of societies, economies, social and healthcare systems worldwide. In addition to the ongoing health crisis, mental health crisis has been unfolding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers had high workload and exposure to multiple psychosocial stressors. The psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been assessed worldwide, but there are limited data on how healthcare workers have been affected in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, prevalence and effect of COVID-19 on the mental health status of Frontline and Non-Frontline Health Workers of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and also to identify their coping strategies. METHODOLOGY: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 through June 2023 among Frontline Health Workers and Non-Frontline Health Workers of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City using a systemic random sampling technique. The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimating two proportions for a comparative cross-sectional study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire adapted and modified from the World Health Organization( WHO )Interim Guidance document on the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and the Brief-COPES Strategy scale. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Data presentation was done using graphs, frequency tables and prose.

BACKGROUND: Globally, COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a major public health concern and has had severe, wide-reaching effects on the functioning of societies, economies, social and healthcare systems worldwide. In addition to the ongoing health crisis, mental health crisis has been unfolding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers had high workload and exposure to multiple psychosocial stressors. The psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been assessed worldwide, but there are limited data on how health care workers have been affected in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, prevalence and effect of COVID-19 on the mental health status of Frontline and Non-Frontline Health Workers of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and also to identify their coping strategies. METHODOLOGY: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 through June 2023 among Frontline Health Workers and Non-Frontline Health Workers of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City using a systemic random sampling technique. The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimating two proportions for a comparative cross-sectional study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research
Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using a structured self administered questionnaire adapted and modified from the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Guidance document on the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Brief-COPE Strategy scale. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Data presentation was done using graphs, frequency tables and prose. RESULT: A total of 500 respondents with mean age (SD) of 37.5 ± 5.6 and 39.9 ± 6.2 years for Frontline and Non-Frontline Health Workers participated in this study respectively. Findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Guidance document on the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers during COVID-19 used to assess knowledge and attitude of respondents revealed that: majority 145 (86.8%) and 191 (57.4%) of the Frontline and Non-Frontline Health Workers had overall good knowledge of COVID-19 (p < 0.001, 0.006 respectively) and a high proportion 134 (80.2%) and 284 (85.3%) of the Frontline and Non Frontline Health Workers had overall positive attitude towards COVID-19 (p = 0.054, 0.096 respectively). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) tool used to assess the mental health status of respondents showed that majority 148 (88.6%) of the Frontline Health Workers experienced depression, anxiety and PTSD while 286 (85.8%) of the Non-Frontline Health Workers experienced depression, anxiety and psychological distress (p = 0.240, 0.547 respectively). Being more aware (good knowledge), Frontline Health Workers were 24.7% times more likely to be psychologically affected (depression, anxiety and PTSD) by COVID-19 compared to Non As a result of positive attitude, Frontline Health Workers were 85.5% times more likely to be psychologically affected (depression, anxiety and PTSD) by COVID-19 compared to Non Frontline Health Workers. This was also statistically significant (p= 0.444, OR: 1.855, 95% CI: 0.381– 9.021). The Brief-COPE Strategy scale used to assess coping styles of respondents showed that most 137 (82.0%) of the Frontline Health Workers coping styles were religion, getting support from people, making fun and being positive of the situation while 255 (76.6%) of the Non-Frontline Health Workers coping styles were getting support from people, concentrating on their work and use of drugs and alcohol (p = 0.128, p= 0.162 respectively). Coping styles were effective for both categories. Frontline Health Workers with tertiary level of education were 10.3% times less likely to be psychologically affected (depression, anxiety and PTSD) by COVID-19 compared to Non Frontline Health Workers. This was however not statistically significant (p= 0.082, OR: 0.897, 95% CI: 0.216– 3.734).
CONCLUSION: From this study, respondents had overall good knowledge of COVID-19. Good knowledge was higher among Frontline Health Workers than in Non-Frontline Health Workers. Majority of the respondents had positive attitude towards COVID-19, and it was observed to be higher among Frontline Health Workers than in Non-Frontline Health Workers.
About half of the respondents tested positive to COVID-19. Positive test was higher in Frontline Health Workers than Non-Frontline Health Workers. Higher proportion of the population were affected mentally. Negative mental health effect was
noticed to be higher among Frontline Health Workers compared to Non-Frontline Health Workers. Domains such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and psychological distress were identified as areas responsible for the psychological symptoms. Good knowledge of COVID-19, positive attitude towards COVID-19 and religion were predictors of coping styles among Non-Frontline Health Workers while knowledge of COVID 19, attitude towards COVID-19, level of education and marriage were identified as predictors of coping styles of Frontline Health Workers. Timely identification and implementation of an appropriate support to vulnerable groups would effectively mitigate the mental health impact of future pandemics on Health Care Workers. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Health Care Workers, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, coping strategies

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical life-saving intervention for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or airway obstruction. Medical students, as future frontline healthcare providers, are expected to possess adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and competent practical skills in BLS. However, studies have reported deficiencies in these areas among medical students globally. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Basic Life Support among clinical medical students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 clinical medical students (400L to 600L) at the University of Benin. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies and based on the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 BLS guidelines. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge (13 items), attitude (7 items on a Likert scale), and practice (10 items) of BLS. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations between categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square test, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of good KAP. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 452 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved, yielding a 100% response rate. The mean age of respondents was 22.92 ± 2.74 years, and 59.5% were male. Overall, only 30.8% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of BLS, while 69.2% had poor knowledge. Knowledge improved significantly with academic level (p < 0.001), with 600-level students showing the highest proportion of good knowledge (43.6%). Female students had significantly better knowledge than males (p = 0.029). Regarding attitude, 78.5% of respondents demonstrated a good attitude towards BLS, while 21.5% exhibited a poor attitude. The majority (96.0%) agreed that BLS is necessary for medical students, and 91.4% supported its inclusion in the medical school curriculum. However, practice levels were markedly low, with 86.5% demonstrating poor practice. Only 13.5% had good practice scores. Mannequin training was significantly associated with better practice (p = 0.026). Major barriers to BLS acquisition and performance included limited availability of BLS training (68.8%), lack of practice opportunities (67.9%), fear of causing harm (56.9%), and fear of legal consequences (50.9%). Furthermore, 57.7% of respondents did not believe their medical school provided adequate BLS training, and 70.8% were uncomfortable using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Conclusion: This study revealed significant gaps in the knowledge and practice of BLS among clinical medical students at the University of Benin, despite a generally positive attitude towards its importance. The lack of formal training, inadequate hands-on practice with mannequins, and psychological barriers such as fear were identified as major hindrances.

The increasing recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") among women of reproductive age raises critical concerns regarding fertility and pregnancy outcomes. This study investigated the reproductive and developmental toxicity of MDMA in adult female Wistar rats, focusing on hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, histopathology, and gestational effects following pre-gestational and gestational exposure. A total of 140 Wistar rats (120 females, 20 males) were assigned to pre-gestational (Category A) and gestational (Category B) protocols. Treated groups received oral MDMA at 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg, while controls received distilled water. Serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured alongside oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, MDA) and histological analyses of the pituitary, ovaries, and uterus. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with LSD post hoc test (p < 0.05).
MDMA induced dose-dependent reductions in body and reproductive organ weights, likely due to serotonergic suppression of appetite, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hormonal assays revealed significant disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, including reduced LH (p = 0.02), elevated estradiol (p = 0.00), and progesterone (p = 0.05). A biphasic testosterone response was observed: reduced in the 80 mg/kg group (0.48 ± 0.00 ng/mL vs. 1.12 ± 0.14 ng/mL in controls) and elevated in the 160 mg/kg group (1.48 ± 0.09 ng/mL; p = 0.00), suggesting dysregulation of androgen synthesis via theca cell dysfunction or disrupted HPG feedback. Reproductive outcomes mirrored endocrine alterations. Pre-gestational exposure reduced conception rates (100% in controls vs. 20% and 0% in treated groups). Gestational exposure impaired implantation, fetal viability, and growth, leading to increased resorptions, intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirths, and postnatal abnormalities. Biochemical assays revealed dose-dependent suppression of antioxidant enzymes and altered lipid peroxidation, indicating oxidative damage in ovarian and uterine tissues.
Histopathological evaluation showed progressive degeneration: the pituitary exhibited chromophobe predominance and vacuolation; ovaries showed follicular atresia, degeneration, and vascular injury; and uterine tissues demonstrated glandular atrophy, edema, inflammation, and myometrial disruption. These structural changes aligned with the observed biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. In conclusion, MDMA exposure before or during pregnancy disrupts female reproductive function in a dose-dependent manner. It impairs fertility, alters endocrine signaling, induces oxidative stress, and causes tissue-specific toxicity, with profound consequences for implantation and fetal development. These findings reinforce the public health risks of MDMA use during reproductive years and the need for targeted reproductive toxicology awareness.