COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Background: Patient safety is a fundamental pillar of healthcare quality, yet preventable adverse events contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Clinical students actively participate in patient care, making their understanding and practice of safety principles critical to preventing institutional errors. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes regarding patient safety and evaluated the patient safety culture (PSC) practices among clinical students at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted between April 2025 and April 2026 among 637 clinical students across five disciplines (Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, and Paramedics) selected via stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a modified questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), while qualitative data were gathered via Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, employing descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression. Qualitative transcripts underwent thematic analysis. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 23.41 \pm 2.08 years, with a slight female predominance (52.1%). A significant majority (75.0%) possessed good overall knowledge of patient safety principles, with the highest domain scores in the systems view of errors (84.3%). Moving to the senior 600 level (AOR: 2.370, p = 0.045) and receiving prior formal x safety training (AOR: 1.850, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of good knowledge. Conversely, spending >12 hours a day in the hospital nearly halved the odds of maintaining good knowledge (AOR: 0.534, p = 0.031). Attitudes were overwhelmingly favorable, with 91.2% demonstrating a positive mindset, which strongly associated with higher cognitive scores (p = 0.004). However, actual patient safety culture practice fell dramatically short, with 73.8% of participants exhibiting poor overall practice. Only 19.5% had ever filed a formal incident report. Among the 513 students who never filed a report, the primary barriers identified were fear of victimization or blame (58.0%), strict institutional hierarchies (44.3%), and high workloads (42.0%). Key curricular and experiential gaps identified included an absolute lack of formal instruction in root cause analysis (59.0%) and incident reporting protocols (49.3%). Conclusion: Clinical students at UBTH display robust theoretical knowledge and highly positive attitudes toward patient safety responsibilities, but institutional, systemic, and cultural barriers significantly impede the translation of these attributes into safe clinical practices. Addressing this disconnect requires aggressive educational reforms, such as integrating simulation-based learning into clinical rotations, and structural interventions by hospital management to establish a accessible, transparent, and non-punitive incident reporting environment.

Background: Cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival. First-degree relatives (FDRs) of cancer patients are at increased risk of developing cancer due to shared genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Despite this increased risk, screening uptake among FDRs remains low. This study assessed the knowledge of early cancer detection and screening uptake among first-degree relatives of cancer patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of early detection and screening uptake among the first-degree relatives of cancer patients.


Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 first-degree relatives of cancer patients attending the Radiotherapy/Clinical Oncology Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests were used for analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of respondents was 35.75 ± 13.34 years, and the majority were females 265 (64.6%). Overall, 268 (65.4%) respondents were aware of early cancer detection and screening. Among those aware, television/radio was the major source of information 104 (38.8%). Mammography was the most recognized screening method 144 (53.7%). Most respondents 209 (78.0%) demonstrated good knowledge of cancer screening and early detection. However, only 96 (23.4%) respondents had previously undergone cancer screening. Ethnicity (p = 0.035) and monthly income (p = 0.014) showed statistically significant associations with knowledge of cancer screening and early detection. Major barriers to screening included poor awareness, fear of diagnosis, inadequate physician recommendation, and limited access to screening services.

Conclusion: Although the majority of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of early cancer detection and screening, screening uptake among first-degree relatives of cancer patients was poor. Improved public health education, increased healthcare provider involvement, and enhanced accessibility and affordability of screening services are recommended to improve cancer screening uptake among high-risk populations.

Background: Cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival. First-degree relatives (FDRs) of cancer patients are at increased risk of developing cancer due to shared genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Despite this increased risk, screening uptake among FDRs remains low. This study assessed the knowledge of early cancer detection and screening uptake among first-degree relatives of cancer patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of early detection and screening uptake among the first-degree relatives of cancer patients.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 first-degree relatives of cancer patients attending the Radiotherapy/Clinical Oncology Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests were used for analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of respondents was 35.75 ± 13.34 years, and the majority were females 265 (64.6%). Overall, 268 (65.4%) respondents were aware of early cancer detection and screening. Among those aware, television/radio was the major source of information 104 (38.8%). Mammography was the most recognized screening method 144 (53.7%). Most respondents 209 (78.0%) demonstrated good knowledge of cancer screening and early detection. However, only 96 (23.4%) respondents had previously undergone cancer screening. Ethnicity (p = 0.035) and monthly income (p = 0.014) showed statistically significant associations with knowledge of cancer screening and early detection. Major barriers to screening included poor awareness, fear of diagnosis, inadequate physician recommendation, and limited access to screening services.

Conclusion: Although the majority of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of early cancer detection and screening, screening uptake among first-degree relatives of cancer patients was poor. Improved public health education, increased healthcare provider involvement, and enhanced accessibility and affordability of screening services are recommended to improve cancer screening uptake among high-risk populations. Keywords: Cancer screening, early detection, first-degree relatives, knowledge, screening uptake, Benin City,

Background: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into higher education has transformed how students access information, complete academic tasks, and engage with learning. While AI offers significant benefits in efficiency and academic support, growing concerns exist regarding excessive student reliance on these tools, with potential implications for critical thinking, cognitive autonomy, and academic integrity. Despite near-universal AI adoption among students globally, empirical data on the nature and extent of AI dependency among Nigerian undergraduates remain limited. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 588 undergraduate students selected from the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire that assessed AI tool awareness and usage, patterns of AI use, and level of AI dependency using the validated 22-item Artificial Intelligence Dependence Scale (AIdep-22), which measures four domains: functional dependence, cognitive dependence, emotional dependence, and loss of control. Factors associated with AI dependency were also explored. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 29.0; frequencies, proportions, and means were computed for descriptive statistics, while chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 22.73 ± 4.65 years, with 52.9% being male. Internet access (99.1%) and smartphone ownership (98.6%) were nearly universal. AI tool awareness was reported by 99.3% of respondents, and 98.1% were active users, with ChatGPT being the most recognised (99.0%), most commonly used (83.2%), and most frequently used (83.2%) tool. The primary academic applications were research assistance (72.3%), summarization of materials (69.7%), and writing support (66.7%), with over half reporting daily use. Regarding usage behaviours, 77.9% reported verifying AI outputs relatively more frequently while 58.8% modified AI-generated content before use more frequently, and 15.0% admitted to unethical use including examination malpractice. In terms of dependency, 49.8% of students exhibited low AI dependency, 40.1% moderate dependency, and 10.0% high dependency. Domain-level mean scores were highest for functional dependence (2.86), followed by emotional dependence (2.55), cognitive dependence (2.50), and loss of control (2.27), with an overall AIdep-22 mean of 2.55, corresponding to moderate dependency. Verification behaviour (p = 0.004) and modification of AI outputs (p = 0.05) were significantly associated with dependency level. The key factors associated with AI dependency were heavy academic workload, high performance expectations, ease of AI access, and fear of making errors. Conclusion: AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, have become deeply embedded in undergraduate academic life at the University of Benin, with near-universal awareness and adoption. Most students exhibited moderate AI dependency, with functional dependence being the most prominent domain. Verification behaviour and output modification were significantly associated with dependency level, underscoring the importance of critical engagement with AI-generated content. These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional guidelines, AI literacy programmes, and pedagogical strategies that promote responsible AI use while preserving students' intellectual independence and academic integrity.

Background: Respectful maternity care (RMC) is defined by the World Health Organization as care organized and provided to all women in a manner that maintains their dignity, privacy, and confidentiality, ensures freedom from harm and mistreatment, and enables informed choice and continuous support during labour and childbirth. Despite global recognition of its importance, violations of RMC remain widespread in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, where disrespect and abuse during childbirth have been linked to reduced facility utilization, poor maternal satisfaction, and adverse psychological outcomes. Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births. In Benin City, Edo State, there is limited comprehensive data on postnatal mothers’ experiences, knowledge, and attitudes toward RMC, creating a significant gap in evidence needed to inform policy and clinical interventions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the extent, determinants, and implications of respectful maternity care experiences among postnatal mothers in Benin City, Edo State. Specific objectives included assessing knowledge and attitudes toward RMC, documenting experiences of respectful and disrespectful maternity care during childbirth, identifying provider- and facility-level determinants of RMC violations, determining predictors of respectful care experiences, and advocating for institutional policy changes promoting RMC. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2025 and April 2026 among postnatal women in Ugbowo community, Egor Local Government Area, Benin City. A sample size of 418 respondents was determined using Cochran’s formula, with a 10% non-response adjustment. A multistage sampling technique was employed: Egor LGA and Ugbowo ward were selected by simple random sampling (balloting), and five communities within the ward served as clusters from which all eligible postnatal women were recruited. Inclusion criteria were women aged 18 years and above who had delivered a live birth within the preceding year and were resident in Edo State. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising six sections covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of RMC, attitudes toward RMC, childbirth experiences, facility- and provider-level factors, and overall satisfaction. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS; univariate analysis described sociodemographic characteristics, chi-square tests assessed bivariate associations, and binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of respectful care experience. Results: The majority of respondents were married women in their late twenties to midthirties with tertiary education, predominantly Christian, and most had attended antenatal care during their last pregnancy. Most delivered in public health facilities and settled bills out of pocket. Formal awareness of RMC as a concept was poor, with only 19.6% of respondents having heard of it; among these, fewer than four in ten demonstrated good overall knowledge, with particular weaknesses in domains relating to supportive care, informed consent, autonomy, and non-discriminatory treatment. Despite low conceptual awareness, the overwhelming majority of respondents held strongly positive attitudes toward the underlying principles of respectful care, with formal education being the only statistically significant predictor of positive attitude. Reported childbirth experiences were broadly positive for dignity, empathetic communication, and non-discriminatory treatment; however, serious violations persisted: more than one in five women reported being shouted at during labour, more than one in ten reported being physically struck, and the near-universal suppression of cultural practices during labour was documented. Perceived provider overwork, overcrowding, and intimidation by birth attendants were identified as facility- and provider level factors compromising care quality, with nurses and midwives disproportionately identified as responsible for mistreatment. In multivariate analysis, positive attitude toward RMC (adjusted OR approximately 3.0) and delivery in a private facility were the only statistically significant independent predictors of a respectful childbirth experience; women who delivered in public facilities had significantly lower odds of respectful care. Conclusion: Formal awareness and comprehensive knowledge of RMC remain critically low among postnatal mothers in Benin City, despite largely positive attitudes toward its principles. Serious violations, including verbal and physical abuse, financial gatekeeping, and suppression of cultural practices, persist alongside generally favourable overall experience ratings, pointing to a system-level underestimation of mistreatment. A significant public- private quality gap was confirmed, with public facility delivery associated with lower odds of respectful care. These findings underscore the urgent need for rights-based maternal health education integrated into routine antenatal care, mandatory RMC training for maternity staff, improved accountability mechanisms within public health facilities, and the development of a national RMC standard with enforceable facility-level indicators. Keywords: Respectful maternity care, postnatal mothers, disrespect and abuse, childbirth experience, Benin City, Nigeria, maternal health.

Background: Occupational health aims to promote and maintain the highest level of physical, mental, and social well-being among workers, including healthcare workers (HCWs), who face significant workplace risks. Despite being the backbone of any health system, HCWs are frequently exposed to hazards such as needle stick injuries, infections, back injuries, and stress, often prioritizing patient care over their own well-being. Protecting the health of HCWs not only safeguards their welfare but also enhances the quality of patient care and strengthens healthcare systems. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), pose a significant risk to HCWs due to the physical demands of their work, including heavy lifting and awkward postures. Preventing WRMSDs requires the application of ergonomic principles, such as proper workspace design, the use of assistive devices, and maintaining correct posture during tasks. Ergonomic interventions can reduce the risk of MSDs, improve safety, and enhance job performance, benefiting both healthcare workers and the patients they serve. Objectives: The study was carried out to investigate the types and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic risk factors and coping strategies adopted by healthcare workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 329 healthcare workers using a stratified random sampling technique for selection. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Version 27.0.1 software utilizing univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Burnout is a prolonged psychological response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors in the workplace, characterized by three core dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. In healthcare settings, burnout has emerged as a significant global concern with far-reaching consequences at individual, interpersonal, and institutional levels. Among healthcare workers, including non-clinical staff, burnout is associated with decreased job Formatted: Font: Not BoldFormatted: Font: Not Bold satisfaction, increased absenteeism, medical errors, and reduced quality of care, ultimately impacting patient outcomes and increasing mortality risks. Interpersonally, burnout contributes to emotional dissonance, while institutionally it leads to high staff turnover, reduced efficiency, and increased economic burden. Despite its recognition since the 1970s, burnout remains a complex and evolving construct, formally classified as an occupational phenomenon in the International Classification of Diseases
(ICD-11). Its conceptual overlap with related conditions such as depression and fatigue continues to generate debate in the literature. Evidence links burnout to numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal issues, and mental health disturbances. Furthermore, job demands such as workload are strongly associated with burnout, whereas job resources like social support promote work engagement. Recent global challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have intensified workplace stressors, placing healthcare workers at an increased risk of burnout. This study highlights the multifaceted nature of burnout and underscores its significant implications for both employee well-being and organizational performance, emphasizing the need for effective intervention strategies and supportive work environments.
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Luffa cylindrica is a popular, medicinal vine belonging to the Curcubitaceae family that reproduces from seeds. Commonly called loofah, Luffa cylindrica is used in treating pains, backaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fever, syphilis, dysentery and tumours. Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts, using ethanol was studied to explore its In-vitro antioxidant activity and HPLC profile. DDPH (α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), Hydroxyl radical, and Nitric oxide scavenging activity were assayed to determine the antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica. Also, bioactive compounds were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Phytochemical screening of the ethanoic extract of the Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Quercetin was the most predominant compound present.

Background: Humam Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most prevalent viral infection of the reproductive system. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and most people acquire it soon after becoming sexually active. HPV infection is the primary cause of almost all cervical cancers and certain HPV types also contribute to the development of cancers in the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and oropharynx. Cervical cancer can be prevented through interventions such as health education, safe sex practices, and HPV vaccination.
Aim: The study evaluated the awareness about HPV vaccines, attitude towards HPV vaccination, the prevalence of HPV vaccination and associated factors among female secondary school students in Benin City, Edo State.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 secondary school students who were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A pretested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination, attitudes towards HPV vaccination; and uptake of the vaccine. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Univariate analysis was used to assess the mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages of variables. Bivariate analysis using chi-square test and Fischer’s Exact test were used to determine the association between respondent’s sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and uptake of HPV vaccination. Independent predictors of knowledge, attitude, and uptake of HPV vaccination were assessed using binary logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was set to p<0.05. Results were presented in prose, tables and charts.

Patient safety is central to quality healthcare delivery. Globally, unsafe care contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, challenges such as weak reporting systems, staff shortages, and limited training heighten risks. Doctors, as frontline caregivers, are pivotal to improving safety standards, but evidence on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices within Nigerian contexts remains limited