COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Background: The hamstring muscles are primarily the flexors of the knee and can also take part in the extension of the hip and require a good degree of flexibility to do so. The sit-and-reach test is a field test used to measure hamstring and low back flexibility.
Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating hamstring flexibility among undergraduates of the University of Benin. Method: This ex-post-facto study recruited 400 volunteers (200 males and 200 females) healthy undergraduates, aged between 17-30 years old. A tape measure and digital weighing scale were used to collect data for the selected anthropometric variables -Height, Weight, BMI, Upper limb length, Lower limb length, and Trunk length. Sit-and- Reach test was performed on a mat; agoniometer was used to assess for Active Hip range of motion. Data collected were summarized using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, An Independent T-test was used to ascertain the difference between males and females for the Sit-and-Reach test and Active Hip range of motion, and A Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to examine the relationship between some anthropometric variables on Sit-and-Reach test and Active Hip active range of motion. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Result: The findings revealed that there were no significant gender differences in Sit-and-Reach test scores (p=0.063) and Active Hip Range of Motion (p=0.096). There was positive significant
correlations between sit-and -reach test scores and Upper limb length (p=0.0001), lower limb length (p=0.0001) and trunk length (p=0.005), and between Active Hip Range of Motion and height (p=0.0001), lower limb length (p=0.0001) and trunk length (p=0.005), There was positive significant correlation between BMI (P=0.004) and active hip range of motion but no significant
correlation with Sit-and-Reach test (p=0.258), trunk length (p=0.143) showed no significant correlation with active hip range of motion. Height showed no significant correlation with both tests.
Conclusion: This study provided the average value of hamstring flexibility among male and female were within the normal range. Anthropometric factors such as upper limb length, lower limb length, BMI and trunk length correlated with hamstring flexibility among Nigeria adults. However, the pattern of correlation varies between sit and reach test and active hip range of motion. There was no significant correlation between height and both tests.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the infectious agent that causes COVID-19, commonly
referred to as coronavirus illness. Chloroquine (CQ), Hydroxylchloroquine (HCQ),
Lopinavor/Retinavir (L/R), and other medications were tested for treating COVID-19 infection. Alcohol or phosphate functional group molecules are uncommon in lipids, which are esters of fatty acids that are soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water. Triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol make up the lipid profile. The aim of the thesis is to ascertain and assess how prescribed medications for the management of COVID-19 infection affect albino rats' lipid levels. In total, 60 albino wistar rats were employed in this investigatigation. 6 were used as negative controls (given with water and feed only), while 54 were used as positive controls (administered with the medications). On the 29th day, blood samples were collected from the albino wistar rats into plain containers and serum were obtained for laboratory analysis of the lipid profile indices.. Version 27 of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) was used to analyze the study's data. For both tests and controls, the Standard Error of Mean was expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Additionally, an ANOVA was used to compare the results at a 95% confidence interval (P<0.05). Notably, the combination treatment containing Hydroxylchloroquine (HCQ), Ivermectin (IV), L/R (Lopinavir/Retinavir), Azithromycin (AZI), Zinc (Zn), and Selenium (Se) led to a significant decrease in HDL_c levels (P<0.05) and weight (P<0.05) compared to the control group. This was in addition to the notable reduction in total cholesterol (TC) levels (P <0.05) that HCQ showed. Additionally, compared to the control group, Chloroquine (CQ) showed significantly lower cardiac risk ratios (P<0.05) and atherogenic coefficients (P<0.05), suggesting a possible decrease in cardiovascular risk and atherogenic potential. Additionally, compared to the control group, the ydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment group showed significantly decreased cardiac risk ratios (P<0.05) and atherogenic coefficients (P<0.05). Nevertheless, the combination therapy with CQ, IV, L/R, AZI, Zn, and Se showed noticeably greater atherogenic coefficients and cardiac risk ratios. In conclusion, the study elucidated the various effects of the drugs on lipid profile, weight, cardiac risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient. However, while both CQ and HCQ treatments led to significant weight gain, contrary to some findings, their mechanisms of action on weight regulation remain complex and warrant further investigation.

Antioxidant capacity of edible oils is important for nutrition, shelf-life, and functional uses and plays its role in protecting biological systems against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. The antioxidant capacity varied significantly as a result of their fatty acid composition, refining procedure, inherent phytochemicals and antioxidants. This study evaluated the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of three widely consumed edible oils—soya bean oil, cotton seed oil, and palm kernel oil—at differing concentrations (50–250 µg/ml). The FRAP assay was used to determine the reducing ability of each oil, expressed as percentage FRAP activity. Results obtained showed a clear concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity across all samples. Cotton seed oil exhibited the highest mean FRAP value (35.20 ± 12.95%), followed by soya bean oil (24.22 ± 11.03%) and palm kernel oil (21.89 ± 11.99%). Strong positive relationships between concentration and FRAP activity as Pearson correlation analysis revealed (r > 0.98 for all oils), confirming that antioxidant potential increases proportionally with concentration. Although one-way ANOVA indicated no statistically significant difference (F = 1.75; p > 0.05) among the oils, cotton seed oil (dependent on the extensive refining it was subjected to) consistently demonstrated superior reducing power, suggesting a higher concentration of phenolic and tocopherol compounds. With this, the study establishes the potential of cotton seed oil as a rich natural source of antioxidants and provides comparative insight into the antioxidant strength of common edible oils used in food industry and nutraceutical applications.

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, and phenols 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-Borabicyclo[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.

Annona muricata is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments; however, its safety profile on vital organs remains insufficiently documented. This study investigated the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on the liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats (180–200 g) were obtained from the Animal House, Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and maintained under standard laboratory conditions. The animals were divided into four groups: Group A (control) received feed and distilled water, while Groups B, C, and D were administered 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of the extract respectively via oral gavage for 28 days.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, originated in Wuhan,
China, in December 2019 and was declared to be a global pandemic by the WHO in March 2020.
Vaccination is a crucial measure for controlling the spread of the virus. Several vaccines have been
developed and approved for use including the novel mRNA type vaccines. Uptake of the vaccine
is affected by factors such as hesitancy, supply-demand gaps and the economic impact of the
lockdown measures as well as knowledge of and attitude towards the vaccine. This study aims as
assessing level of uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination and factors affecting it among traders in
Benin City. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among traders in Egor,
Ovia North-East and Oredo Local Government Areas of Benin City, the capital of Edo State,
Nigeria. A sample size of 426 was obtained, and a multistage sampling technique was used to
select respondents. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee in
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) before commencement of the study with ethical
clearance number ADM/E 22/A/VOL.VII/14831293. An interviewer-administered questionnaire
was used to collect the data for the study after pretesting. Data was analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: The mean age of respondents was 45.7 ± 11.2. A higher proportion, 89.0% were female,
Christians (93.0%) and married (81.0%). Out of 426 respondents, 42.7% had primary level of
education. The median household income was 120,000 naira. From the responses, 35.7% and
15.5% had good knowledge of and good attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine respectively.
About a quarter of the respondents, 26.3% were willing to take the vaccine and 15.0% had taken
it. The factors found to affect uptake of the vaccine were age (p=0.012), household monthly
income (p<0.001), knowledge of (p<0.001), attitude towards (p=0.013) and willingness (p=0.025)
to take the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: The study showed that knowledge of and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine
were low. Also, willingness to take and uptake of vaccine were also low among the respondents.
The federal and state governments should create awareness on the vaccine importance and
availability using multimedia and make vaccines available at the market. Individuals should rely
on credible sources for information on the vaccine and consider the negative impact of taking the
vaccine on their health, community, nation and the world.

Hypertension is an increasingly important public health problem among young adults, yet many university students underestimate their susceptibility despite exposure to lifestyle-related cardiovascular risks. This study assessed knowledge of hypertension risk factors and determined the prevalence of hypertension among university students in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with an adapted structured self administered questionnaire, while blood pressure, weight, and height were measured using standard procedures. Knowledge of hypertension risk factors was scored over eight items; scores of 4 and above were classified as good knowledge. Blood pressure was classified using the Joint National Committee criteria.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.3 ± 2.6 years, and 64.8% were females. All respondents had heard of hypertension, with school being the commonest source of information (62.3%). Overall, 73.8% had good knowledge of hypertension risk factors, and 80.7% had good general knowledge of hypertension. Stress (88.8%), obesity (79.8%), excessive alcohol
consumption (74.8%), family history (70.5%), smoking (70.0%), and high salt intake (69.5%) were the most commonly identified risk factors, while fewer respondents recognised processed foods (57.0%) and physical inactivity (55.2%). Measured blood pressure showed that 48.3% were normotensive, 43.8% were prehypertensive, 6.8% had stage 1 hypertension, and 1.1% had stage 2 hypertension, giving an overall hypertension prevalence of 7.9%. Hypertension was significantly more common among males than females (13.2% vs 5.0%, p < 0.001) and increased across BMI categories from underweight to obesity (p < 0.05).

Depression is a significant mental health concern among university students worldwide, with pharmacy students particularly vulnerable due to the demanding nature of their academic programmes. Despite growing evidence of its prevalence in Nigerian universities, institution-specific data from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) remains limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Benin, identify the key determinants of depression within this population, and assess its impact on their academic performance and psychosocial well-being.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 undergraduate pharmacy students across academic levels 200 to 600 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique with proportional allocation. Data were collected through a self-administered, structured online questionnaire comprising five sections: sociodemographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression screening, determinants of depression, impact of depression, and effects on academic performance. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, with chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests employed to assess associations between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 20.1%, with 11.7% of respondents experiencing mild depression, 6.1% moderate depression, and 2.3% severe depression. Age (p = 0.043) and level of study (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with depression severity; younger students (15–19 years) and those in lower academic levels (especially 200 level) exhibited the highest rates of depressive symptoms, while final-year (600 level) students had the lowest prevalence. Sex, religion, marital status, residential location, accommodation type, and source of funding did not show statistically significant associations with depression. The principal determinants identified were academic stress (45.3% reported difficulty coping with workload), prolonged academic stay (25.2%), poor accommodation (18.9%), sleep disturbances (16.6%), financial difficulties (40.7%), and traumatic experiences including examination failure (30.3% of those with trauma) and heartbreak (24.4%). Among the 105 students (24.5%) with active depressive symptoms, 60.0% found it harder to concentrate, 50.5% reported impaired academic performance, 32.4% missed classes or examinations, and 27.6% had failed courses due to poor mental health. Notably, nearly half (45.7%) of symptomatic students reported suicidal ideation, yet only 26.7% had sought any form of help.
Conclusion: Depression affects approximately one in five pharmacy students at the University of Benin, with younger students and those in early academic years at greatest risk. Academic stress, financial difficulties, and traumatic life events are the predominant determinants, while the condition substantially impairs concentration, attendance, and academic outcomes. The alarmingly low rate of help-seeking despite high suicidal ideation underscores an urgent need for targeted mental health screening, accessible counselling services, and institutional policies that address academic stressors and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care.

Self-medication is a widespread public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where barriers to healthcare access persist. This study examined the prevalence, knowledge, patterns, and influencing factors of self-medication among artisans in Ovia North- East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design wasNemployed, and data were collected from 212 artisans using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation) at a 0.05 level of significance. The socio-demographic profile revealed that the respondents were predominantly young adults (34.0% aged 28–37 years), male (67.9%), and moderately educated, with secondary education constituting the highest proportion (41.5%). Findings on prevalence showed that 77.4% of respondents engaged in self-medication, with headaches (65.1%), malaria (57.5%), and body pain (53.8%) being the most common conditions treated. In terms of knowledge, while most respondents correctly defined self-medication (80.2%) and acknowledged its risks (90.1%), only 45.3% demonstrated awareness of drug side effects, resulting in a moderate mean knowledge score of 3.15 (SD = 1.12). The overall classification showed that 60.4% of respondents had good knowledge, while 39.6% had poor knowledge. Regarding patterns of practice, pain relievers (61.3%), antimalarials (51.9%), and antibiotics (46.2%) were the most commonly used drugs, with 66.0% of respondents adhering to full dosage. However, unsafe practices such as incomplete dosage and reliance on herbal drugs (35.4%) or informal drug sources (15.1%) were also reported. The mean pattern score was 3.73 (SD = 0.47), indicating a moderate balance between safe and unsafe practices. Factors influencing self- medication included easy access to drugs (72.6%), high cost of healthcare (67.9%), long waiting times at hospitals (60.4%), peer/family influence (40.6%), and prior experience with illness (56.6%). Hypothesis testing revealed significant relationships between knowledge and practice (r = 0.41, p = 0.001), socio-demographic factors and self-medication patterns (r = 0.312, p = 0.002), and accessibility to healthcare and frequency of practice (r = 0.46, p = 0.001). These results confirm that self-medication is influenced by a combination of knowledge, socio-economic factors, and systemic barriers. The study concludes that self-medication is highly prevalent among artisans and poses considerable health risks despite moderate knowledge levels. It highlights the need for targeted health education, regulation of drug accessibility, and improvement of healthcare affordability and efficiency to mitigate unsafe practices. The findings also have implications for nursing practice, particularly in community health education, preventive care, and patient advocacy