DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL PHARMACY

Tamarindus indica, or the Tamarind tree, known for its numerous health benefits, is a large evergreen tree native to tropical Africa and now found in Asia. Its alcoholic extract has been found to possess hypotensive effects, and this study seeks to evaluate the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Tamarindus indica for vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, as a possible mechanism of blood pressure reduction. Isolated rat thoracic aortic rings were suspended in an isolated organ bath with a pair of tungsten wires. A 50 mg/mL stock solution of the extract was prepared, from which serial dilutions were done to obtain the concentrations used (25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.56 and 0.78 mg/mL), and volumes of 25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 uL were administered cumulatively. The experiment was done using rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, and rat thoracic aorta with intact endothelium, pre-contracted with 80 mM potassium chloride (KCl). The extract caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, though this effect was slightly reduced with denuded endothelium. The extract also caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta pre-contracted with 80 mM KCl. From the results obtained from the study, it can be concluded that the extract possesses vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, which might be both endothelium-dependent and independent, and is possibly mediated through blockade of the L-type Ca 2+ channels. This could be responsible for its blood pressure reduction effects

Background: Doping, or the use of performance-enhancing substances, threatens fairness and athlete health worldwide. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are well-positioned to prevent both intentional and inadvertent doping by guiding athletes on safe drug, supplement, and herbal use. However, in Nigeria, pharmacists’ involvement remains limited, with gaps in knowledge, training, and policy integration. Understanding their awareness and perceptions can inform strategies to strengthen their role in promoting clean and ethical sports. Objective: This study evaluates community pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of anti-doping practices in Benin City, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured self- administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceptions, information sources, and barriers related to anti-doping. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression to explore associations and significance. Results: All 169 community pharmacists invited participated in the study. Most were male (65.7%), aged between 26 and 35 years (66.9%), held a BPharm degree (67.5%), and had 1–5 years of work
experience (53.3%). The majority occupied senior roles (92.3%). Their anti-doping knowledge was generally fair (53.3%) or poor (42.6%), with noticeable gaps related to beta-blockers, CPD content, and legal aspects. Overall perceptions of their anti-doping role were strongly positive (75.1%). Longer professional experience and higher qualifications were linked to greater role awareness, though knowledge had only a weak influence on perceptions (p = 0.028, R² = 0.028). Conclusion: Community pharmacists demonstrated fair to poor knowledge of anti-doping, yet they held strongly positive attitudes toward their role in prevention. Significant gaps remain in training, access to resources, and procedural awareness. While more experienced and highly qualified pharmacists recognized their responsibilities better, knowledge had minimal impact on attitudes. Focused CPD, integration of WADA resources, and clear professional guidelines are crucial to fully equip pharmacists for doping prevention.

Background: In hospital practice, the roles of pharmacists as assets are very significant in achieving the overall goals of the hospital which is provision of humanistic, economical and clinical outcomes. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the role of hospital pharmacist during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Method: The study was conducted on pharmacists practicing in either government or private owned hospitals within Benin-City, Edo state. Descriptive survey design was used for the study and 3 research questions was developed for the study. Random sampling method was used. The instrument used for collection of data was a structured questionnaire.
Key findings: Total 180 hospital pharmacist were involved in the study. This study highlights the various roles and pharmaceutical care services provided and implemented by pharmacists
during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Pharmaceutical care services like patient education and counselling, social distancing, wearing of mask, providing information, addressing medication shortages, teleconsultation, medication review, optimizing medication regimen, adverse drug reaction monitoringand addressing the medication-related problems are being delivered by the pharmacists in this ongoing pandemic. Conclusion: All the studies described the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacists duringCOVID-19 in Nigeria. This pandemic adversity has opened up new avenues for the hospital pharmacists which have broadened their scope as the member of multidisciplinary healthcare team. Pharmacists have to overcome the unforeseen barriers and challenges and continue providing need based pharmaceutical care services.

Background: Doping, or the use of performance-enhancing substances, threatens fairness and athlete
health worldwide. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are well-positioned to prevent both intentional and inadvertent doping by guiding athletes on safe drug, supplement, and herbal use. However, in Nigeria, pharmacists’ involvement remains limited, with gaps in knowledge, training, and policy integration. Understanding their awareness and perceptions can inform strategies to strengthen their role in promoting clean and ethical sports. Objective: This study evaluates community pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of anti-doping practices in Benin City, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured self- administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceptions, information sources, and barriers related to anti-doping. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression to explore associations and significance. Results: All 169 community pharmacists invited participated in the study. Most were male (65.7%), aged between 26 and 35 years (66.9%), held a BPharm degree (67.5%), and had 1–5 years of work experience (53.3%). The majority occupied senior roles (92.3%). Their anti-doping knowledge was generally fair (53.3%) or poor (42.6%), with noticeable gaps related to beta-blockers, CPD content, and legal aspects. Overall perceptions of their anti-doping role were strongly positive (75.1%). Longer professional experience and higher qualifications were linked to greater role awareness, though knowledge had only a weak influence on perceptions (p = 0.028, R² = 0.028). Conclusion: Community pharmacists demonstrated fair to poor knowledge of anti-doping, yet they held strongly positive attitudes toward their role in prevention. Significant gaps remain in training, access to resources, and procedural awareness. While more experienced and highly qualified pharmacists recognized their responsibilities better, knowledge had minimal impact on attitudes. Focused CPD, integration of WADA resources, and clear professional guidelines are crucial to fully equip pharmacists for doping prevention.

Introduction/Background: Mental health is a critical determinant of academic success, particularly in demanding professional programs like pharmacy. Generalised Anxiety Disorder(GAD), characterised by persistent and uncontrollable worry, is a prevalent and disabling condition globally. University students, especially those in health professions, are recognized as a high-risk group due to academic pressures, transitional challenges, and systemic stressors. In the Nigerian context, these challenges are intensified by institutional constraints and cultural stigma surrounding mental health. Despite this, research is scarce focusing specifically on GAD among pharmacy students in Nigeria, creating a significant gap in understanding and addressing this issue. Objective: The objective of this study to assess the prevalence and severity of Generalized Anxiety Disorder among second-year pharmacy students at the University of Benin. Method: All eligible and consenting participants were included in the study through a census technique. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising a socio-demographic section and the standardised Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item(GAD-7)scale. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)version 27.0, utilizing descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine associations, withap-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety, with 75.5% of students reporting some level of clinically significant symptoms. The distribution of anxiety severity was 32.9%mild, 30.1% moderate, and 12.6% severe. The most common symptoms were “worrying too much about different things,” “feeling nervous, anxious or on edge,” and “not being able to stop or
xi
control worrying.” A strong majority (75.5%) of students believed that anxiety negatively affected their academic performance. Key contributing stressors included pressure to maintain high grades (72.7%), heavy academic workload (61.5%), and large study materials (51.0%). A statistically significant association was found between gender and anxiety levels, with female students reporting higher levels of moderate anxiety. Help-seeking behaviour was low, withonly18.2% of students having ever sought psychological counselling. A significant association between stress levels and anxiety levels (χ² = 33.8, p < 0.001). Individuals reporting low stress primarily experienced minimal anxiety (76.9%) and those reporting extreme stress showed the highest rates of moderate anxiety (37.5%) and severe anxiety (25.0%). Conclusion: The findings indicate a high burden of generalised anxiety among second-year pharmacy students at the University of Benin, which is significantly intensified by increasing overall stress levels and strongly linked to academic stressors and results in significant self reported functional and academic impairment. There is an urgent need for the institution to implement proactive interventions, including enhanced and accessible counselling services, routine mental health screening, academic policy reforms to reduce workload pressure, and initiatives to destigmatise help-seeking behaviour. Keywords: Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Pharmacy Students, University of Benin, GAD-7Scale, Academic Stress, Mental Health, Prevalence, Nigeria.

Introduction/Background: Mental health is a critical determinant of academic success, particularly in demanding professional programs like pharmacy. Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD), characterized by persistent and uncontrollable worry, is a prevalent and disabling condition globally. University students, especially those in health professions, are recognized as a high-risk group due to academic pressures, transitional challenges, and systemic stressors. Inthe Nigerian context, these challenges are intensified by institutional constraints and cultural stigma surrounding mental health. Despite this, there is a scarcity of research focusing specifically on GAD among pharmacy students in Nigeria, creating a significant gap in understanding and addressing this issue. Objective: The objective of this study to assess the prevalence and severity of Generalised Anxiety Disorder among second-year pharmacy students at the University of Benin. Method: All eligible and consenting participants were included in the study through a census technique. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising a socio-demographic section and the standardized Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item(GAD-7)scale. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)version 27.0, utilizing descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine associations, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety, with 75.5% of students reporting some level of clinically significant symptoms. The distribution of anxiety severity was 32.9%mild, 30.1% moderate, and 12.6% severe. The most common symptoms were “worrying too much about different things,” “feeling nervous, anxious or on edge,” and “not being able to stop or control worrying.” A strong majority (75.5%) of students believed that anxiety negatively affected their academic performance. Key contributing stressors included pressure to maintain high grades (72.7%), heavy academic workload (61.5%), and large study materials (51.0%). A statistically significant association was found between gender and anxiety levels, with female students reporting higher levels of moderate anxiety. Help-seeking behaviour was low, withonly18.2% of students having ever sought psychological counselling. A significant association between stress levels and anxiety levels (χ² = 33.8, p < 0.001). Individuals reporting low stress primarily experienced minimal anxiety (76.9%) and those reporting extreme stress showed the highest rates of moderate anxiety (37.5%) and severe anxiety (25.0%). Conclusion: The findings indicate a high burden of generalised anxiety among second-year pharmacy students at the University of Benin, which is significantly intensified by increasing overall stress levels and strongly linked to academic stressors and results in significant self-reported functional and academic impairment. There is an urgent need for the institution to implement proactive interventions, including enhanced and accessible counselling services, routine mental health screening, academic policy reforms to reduce workload pressure, and initiatives to destigmatise help-seeking behaviour. Keywords: Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Pharmacy Students, University of Benin, GAD-7Scale, Academic Stress, Mental Health, Prevalence, Nigeria

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a glucose intolerance disorder first recognized during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as preeclampsia, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. The global burden of GDM is rising, including in Nigeria, yet screening remains inadequate in many primary healthcare (PHC) settings. Objective: This study assessed the risk status and associated factors of GDM among pregnant women attending PHC centers in Egor and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at selected PHC facilities were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on demographic, obstetric, and lifestyle factors, alongside a nine-item GDM risk assessment tool. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency testing (Cronbach’s alpha) were used for analysis. Results: Most respondents were aged 26–35 years. Based on the risk assessment tool, 74.7% were low risk, 22.4% moderate risk, and 2.9% high risk for GDM. Significant predictors included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, family history of diabetes or hypertension, and previous obstetric complications. Sociodemographic factors such as marital status, education, and occupation were not significantly associated. Regular exercise and healthy diets were linked to lower GDM risk. The risk assessment tool showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.702). Conclusion: Early identification of at-risk women through effective screening and timely antenatal care can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Integrating GDM risk assessment, counseling, and lifestyle education into PHC services is strongly recommended

BACKGROUND: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), including conditions like the common cold, pharyngitis, and sinusitis, are predominantly viral in origin and often do not require antibiotics. However, antibiotics are frequently misused for URTIs due to patient demand, diagnostic uncertainty, or lack of awareness. This practice contributes to the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major public health threat.University students, particularly in densely populated settings like the University of Benin, are vulnerable to URTIs due to close-contact living conditions, stress, and poor health- seeking behaviors. Studies suggest that due to factors such as academic pressure, easy of access to drugs, and limited health literacy students often resort to self-medication with antibiotics obtained without prescriptions, exacerbating resistance risks. OBJECTIVE : This project seeks to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use for URTIs among University of Benin students. By identifying gaps in awareness and inappropriate usage trends, the study will inform targeted interventions, such as educational campaigns and stricter medication dispensing policies, to curb antibiotic misuse in this population.
METHODS : After obtaining ethical approval from the Faculty of Pharmacy Ethics Committee, a cross sectional study was employed. The study employed the use of a structured questionnaire as the major instrument of data collection. The questionnaire was carefully developed to address the objectives of the study and distributed to students of four faculties including two medical oriented faculties (Pharmacy and Basic Medical Sciences) and two non medical oriented faculties (Education and Engineering). The data obtained was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for social sciences, SPSS version 29.
RESULTS: 54.2% of the respondents were male, while 45.8% were female, indicating a fairly balanced gender representation. The majority of the respondents (49.0%) were between the ages of 21 and 25 years. The majority of the respondents (68.3%) reported having experienced a cold, sore throat, or cough within the past six months, Most of the respondents (78.4%) admitted to having used antibiotics to treat URTI, while 46.9% did not complete the
course, indicates a tendency toward incomplete antibiotic adherence among some participants. Majority (87.9%) obtained them from pharmacies and 64.5% of the respondents reported that they could purchase antibiotics without a prescription. Out of the total respondents, 275 (62.6%) demonstrated good knowledge, while 164 (37.4%) exhibited poor knowledge of antibiotic use. A majority (58.3%) reported that they keep leftover antibiotics for future use. Most respondents (72.9%) admitted to using antibiotics given by friends or family. CONCLUSION; The study results showed that although most students had experienced one or more URTI episodes, many engaged in improper antibiotic use, frequently self-medicating without valid prescriptions. The widespread misuse of antibiotics identified in this study represents a serious public health issue. While many students had a basic understanding of antibiotic use, misconceptions were common especially the false belief that antibiotics are effective against viral infections. Contributing factors included easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions, peer influence, prior antibiotic use, and limited awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Coordinated educational, clinical, and policy interventions are vital to promote the rational use of antibiotics and preserve their effectiveness for future generations

Hypertension is a major public health concern in Nigeria, and the financial demands of its longterm management often limit patients’ ability to sustain effective treatment. The chronic nature of the condition requires ongoing medication, regular clinic visits, and laboratory monitoring— costs that can impose significant financial strain on individuals and households.

Background: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to pose a significant public health burden in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting underserved populations. Pharmacy students, as future healthcare professionals, are positioned to play key roles in community education, early
case detection, and prevention efforts. However, gaps in awareness and knowledge may limit their contributions. Objective: To assess the level of awareness and knowledge of NTDs among pharmacy students
at the University of Benin and to evaluate their attitudes toward participating in the prevention and control of these diseases. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 pharmacy students intheir 500- and 600-levels. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics-including frequencies, percentages, and means-were used to summarize
socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and attitudes. Results were presented in tables. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Results: A total of 311 respondents participated (response rate: 88.9%). Awareness of NTDs was moderate, with 56.9% reporting they had heard of NTDs and 46.9% aware that Nigeria is
endemic for several NTDs. Knowledge levels were also moderate; 54.3% correctly identified examples of NTDs, while misconceptions persisted, including misclassification of malaria and tuberculosis. Most respondents (88.1%) recognized rural dwellers as the most at-risk population, and 55.6% correctly identified major transmission routes. Attitudes were positive overall: 67.2% agreed that pharmacists have an important role in NTD control, and 69.4% supported including NTD-related content in the pharmacy curriculum. Willingness to volunteer for awareness
programs was also high (59.8%). Conclusion: Pharmacy students demonstrated moderate levels of awareness and knowledge
regarding NTDs but expressed strong positive attitudes toward participating in their prevention and control. Strengthening pharmacy curricula, providing targeted training, and increasing opportunities for practical involvement can enhance students’ preparedness to contribute
effectively to national NTD control efforts.