DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

This study was designed to assess the knowledge and attitude of secondary school students towards sexually transmitted diseases in Oredo Local Government Area . To guide this study, four research questions were raised. The study was a descriptive research which adopted the survey research design . The population of the study was 9900 secondary students. The sampling techniques used was Stratified random Sampling. The sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 100 respondents representing 2% of the total population of secondary students in the selected secondary schools. The questionnaire was validated by three experts and split - half method was used to establish reliability of which it's coefficient was 0.83 ascertaining the reliability of the questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count , percentages and pearson product moment correlation ( PPMC). The findings revealed that the students are knowledgeable to an extent about Sexually transmitted diseases And the attitude of the secondary school students towards STDs is not encouraging. Sources of information on sexually transmitted disease from the parents, school, social media etc. The various risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases includes adolescents been made vulnerable at most, it can lead to infertility in both males and females etc. The types of STDs, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment of STDs. It was recommended that efforts should be made by parents, guardians to educate their children about sexually transmitted diseases, it should not be left only in the hands of school alone. And also the school‘s responsibility is to educate the students about the risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases, the consequences of increased sex partners. Abstinence should be talked about especially by a health teacher or an invited health personnel.

The aim of this study was to examined attitude of undergraduate students in hall of residence in university of Benin towards environmental sanitation and waste disposal, four research questions were raised to guide the study. What are the attitudes of students living in hall of residences in university of Benin toward environmental sanitation? What is the current environmental sanitation situation in the hall of residences in University of Benin? What factors account for the environmental sanitation in the hall of residences in university of Benin? What are the current practices of students towards a better way to dispose waste and environmental sanitation? The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study consist of students in the Faculty of Education in University of Benin. A sample of 200 students were randomly selected from the population. Questionnaire was the instrument used to elicit information from the respondents. The data collated were analyzed using the simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings from the study it was seen that the students feel unconcerned toward environmental sanitation in their surroundings.it was also seen that students have a negative attitude toward health important of maintaining good environment. It was seen that polluted air from refuse dumping site brings out odour cause respiratory disease among students. The recommendation includes Environment health offices should train and operate on the opinion that active participation of cleaning the environment is necessary because people are more inclined to use and support of
sanitation improvement if properly guided. There should be legislation for proper sanitation on a regular basis to make every day count as it will enhance the health status of the environment.

This study was on knowledge and attitude of uniben undergraduates towards plastic waste pollution and control. Three research questions were raised and answered during the study using frequencies and percentages. The survey research design as adopted for this study; this is because the data is collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. The opulation of the study was 43,679 Students. It comprises of the 15 faculties of the University of Benin. Out of this population two hundred and forty (240) sample was selected from the total population using randomly sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study was ten items self-structured questionnaire. The instrument for the data collection was personally administered by the researcher to the respondents. The researcher explained to the respondents how to indicate their views on each item. On the basis of the findings made in the study, it can be concluded that University of Benin undergraduates possess high levels of knowledge about plastic waste pollution as well as plastic waste management and control. The researcher recommends that University of Benin should incorporate plastic waste pollution and management topics into the General Studies (GST) curriculum to strengthen students’ environmental knowledge.

This study investigated the barriers affecting the effective teaching and learning of Health Education. The purpose was to identify the major institutional, teacher-related, student-related, and environmental factors that hinder the successful delivery of Health Education as a subject. A descriptive survey research design was employed to gather data from teachers and students across selected public secondary schools. A structured questionnaire was used as the primary instrument for data collection, and data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency counts. The findings revealed that several challenges significantly impede effective teaching and learning of Health Education in the study area. These include inadequate instructional materials, shortage of qualified teachers, insufficient time allocation, poor students’ interest, overcrowded classrooms, and limited support from school management. The study also found that socio-cultural beliefs and poor funding contribute to the difficulties faced in teaching the subject. Based on these findings, the study recommends increased government funding, provision of adequate instructional resources, employment of more qualified teachers, regular teacher training, and improved learning environments to enhance the quality of Health Education in secondary schools. The study concludes that addressing these barriers is essential for promoting health literacy and improving students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward health and wellbeing

This study investigated the knowledge and acceptability of cervical cancer screeningamongsecondary school teachers in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The studywasprompted by the increasing prevalence of cervical cancer and the crucial role teachers playaschannels of health information and behavior change in the community. Adescriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised all secondaryschool teachers in the area, and a sample of 150 respondents was selected using a simple randomsampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analyzedusing descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the majority of respondents demonstrated a highlevel ofknowledge of cervical cancer and its screening methods. This was attributed to their exposuretohealth information through educational institutions and their relatively high educational qualifications. However, despite the high level of knowledge, awareness did not always translateinto screening practice. Many respondents had never been screened due to factors suchas fearand anxiety, cultural and religious beliefs, misconceptions, cost of screening, and distancetohealth facilities. The study also found that educational attainment had a significant positiveinfluence on respondents’ knowledge and attitudes towards screening, indicating that highereducation improves health literacy, interpretation of health information, and informed decision-making. Furthermore, the study established that health education and awareness creation remainstrongdeterminants of screening acceptability. Media campaigns, school-based sensitization, andinclusion of cervical cancer education in teacher training curricula were identified as vital ix strategies to enhance knowledge and participation in screening programs. The study concludedthat while knowledge of cervical cancer among secondary school teachers in Ikpoba-Okhaiscommendable, the acceptability and utilization of screening services remain low. It thereforerecommended intensified health education interventions, culturally sensitive awarenesscampaigns, and improved access to affordable screening services to promote early detectionandreduce the burden of cervical cancer among women in Nigeria.

This research examined the exclusive breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers whovisit Oluku Primary Health Centre in Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey designwasemployed, and data were gathered using structured questionnaires to evaluate the mothers’knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding, as well as the factorsthat affect their adherence. The results indicated that a significant portion of the respondentswere married (98.9%), primarily within the age group of 33–37 years (28.9%), andhadobtained tertiary education (48.25%). The majority showed a high level of knowledgeandfavorable attitudes toward exclusive breastfeeding, influenced by education, antenatal counseling, and support from family. Most mothers adhered to the World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding, refraining from giving water, pacifiers, orearly complementary foods. Key factors influencing breastfeeding practices included maternal education, urban exposure, healthcare advice, and encouragement from family, whereas challenges such as workplaceissues, physical discomfort, and cultural misconceptions were identified as barriers. Thestudy concludes that nursing mothers at Oluku Primary Health Centre possess strongknowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding exclusive breastfeedingand recommends ongoing maternal education and support initiatives in the workplace

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ekosodin community, Ovia North East Local
Government Area of Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, four (4) research questions were raised and important literature related to exclusive breastfeeding were clearly discussed. The descriptive research design was used for this study and the study population was estimated at 14,000 residents in 2025 for Ekosodin, Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area
of Edo State. The simple random sampling technique was adopted to select forty (40) respondents from 5 major streets/areas in Ekosodin community namely: Newton Street, Edo
Street, JB, boundary road, and Market road. This will give a total of 200 respondents representing the study. The instrument used for data collection was a well-structured close-ended questionnaire with twenty (20) items. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The test retest
reliability method was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of two hundred and (200) questionnaires were administered to the sample and data collected was
analyzed using frequency count, percentage mean, and standard deviation. Based on the data collected and analyzed, it was found out that, knowledge and attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ovia North East Local Government
Area of Edo State are generally high and positive, actual practice of exclusive breastfeeding remains only moderate. This gap between knowledge, attitude and practice highlights persistent
barriers such as cultural beliefs, family pressure, limited spousal support and work-related demands that hinder full adherence to exclusive breastfeeding recommendations. It was therefore recommended that Regular, culturally sensitive health talks and outreach programmes should be organized in Ekosodin community to reinforce correct information on exclusive breastfeeding and dispel myths or cultural beliefs that discourage the practice., health workers should deliberately include husbands, mothers-in-law and other significant family members in antenatal and postnatal counselling sessions to build supportive home environments for exclusive breastfeeding, government agencies and private employers within the locality should be encouraged to adopt breastfeeding-friendly policies such as extended maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and provision of crèche facilities to support working mothers in practising exclusive breastfeeding, and also, Primary health centres should strengthen follow-up visits and postnatal counselling to monitor and support mothers in the first six months postpartum, addressing challenges that may arise in exclusive breastfeeding

This study examined the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Three research questions guided the study, and relevant literature was reviewed to provide a conceptual foundation. A
descriptive survey design was adopted, with a study population of 40,318 students for the 2024/2025 academic session. A purposive sample of 308 undergraduates participated in the study. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire
validated by experts in Health, Safety, and Environmental Education, while reliability was established using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). Out of the 308 questionnaires administered, all were retrieved and analyzed using
mean, standard deviation, frequency counts, and percentages. Findings revealed that respondents possessed adequate knowledge of oral hygiene principles and benefits. However, the level of oral hygiene practice among students was moderate, suggesting a gap between knowledge and consistent practice. Personal motivation and awareness were identified as major influences on oral hygiene behavior, while economic, cultural, and institutional factors had minimal impact. The study concludes that although students demonstrate good knowledge and some positive oral health habits, there is a need to strengthen consistent preventive practices. It recommends sustained oral health education, improved access to dental care materials, and enhanced awareness campaigns to promote long-term oral hygiene behaviors among undergraduates.

In Nigeria, flooding is a frequent environmental danger that disrupts infrastructure, the economy, and society. This study examined an evaluation of perceived vulnerability and mitigation strategies for flooding among residents of Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State. The main objective was to assess residents’ understanding of flood hazards, factors influencing their perceptions of susceptibility, and the adaptation and mitigation strategies they employ. Three research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and 150 residents were randomly selected as the sample Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed to measure flood awareness, perceived susceptibility, and mitigation practices. Findings revealed that residents of Egor LGA have a good understanding of flood hazards, identifying poor or blocked drainage systems, heavy rainfall, building on natural water channels, and improper waste disposal as primary causes. Factors influencing perceptions of susceptibility include elevation, proximity to drainage channels, poor urban planning, and blocked drains. Residents reported adopting several mitigation strategies, such as raising building foundations, avoiding dumping waste into drains, regularly clearing drainage channels, heeding flood warnings, and supporting community cleanliness campaigns. Based on these findings, the study recommended enhancing community awareness programs, improving drainage infrastructure, enforcing urban planning regulations, and strengthening public education on flood preparedness to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in Egor LGA.

This study investigates the level of awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among university students at the University of Benin, Nigeria. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the level of awareness and understanding of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in Nigeria. It aims to identify the sources of students' information, assess their knowledge of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and consequences, and explore the factors that influence their perceptions and behaviors regarding sexual health. The study is driven by the need to address gaps in sexual health education on campuses and to inform strategies for effective intervention. The research employs a descriptive survey design, utilizing self administered questionnaires to collect data from a representative sample of undergraduate students across various faculties and levels of study at the university. The questionnaire captures demographic information, knowledge about STIs, sources of information, and risky behaviors. The data is analyzed statistically to evaluate the relationship between variables such as age, gender, and sources of information, providing a comprehensive understanding of students’ sexual health awareness. The findings highlight considerable gaps in STI knowledge among students, with many possessing misconceptions and limited understanding of transmission and prevention methods. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing comprehensive sexual health education programs tailored to students’ needs, utilizing trusted sources of information. Recommendations include integrating sexual health education into the university curriculum, increasing awareness campaigns through appropriate channels, and fostering an environment that encourages open discussions about sexual health to curb STI prevalence and promote responsible behaviors among students.