DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The study investigated the knowledge of risky sexual behaviour among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo state. To achieve the purpose of this study, three (3) research questions were raised and the literatures related to the study were also reviewed. The study adopted the descriptive study research design. The population of the study consisted of six thousand (6000) secondary school students in
Egor. One hundred and fifty(150) respondents, systematically, randomly and purposively selected, formed the sample of the population. The instrument used for the study was a “Questionnaire on the knowledge of risky sexual behaviour among secondary school student in Egor”. the questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers from the department of Health, Safety, and Environmental Education (HSE). The test-retest reliability method using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient formulae was used to obtain the reliability coefficient. Data obtained from the instrument were analyzed using frequency count and simple percentages

The study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women towards routine Antenatal care on Egor primary health center, Benin City, Edo State. Three research questions were raised to guide the researcher. Various literatures were reviewed to the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study of the total number of pregnant women registered under Egor primary health center, Benin City, Edo State in 2022 is 104. The sample size for the study is 104. They were selected by simple random sampling technique. The study utilized a validated questionnaire that was designed by the researcher. From the data collected in the study, it was revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that they have high level of knowledge about routine antenatal care services as they firmly agreed that routine antenatal care helps in promoting healthy pregnancy, first antenatal checkup be on the first 3 months, antenatal care helps in pregnancy preparedness, antenatal class is good to prepare pregnant women mentally, antenatal care helps in complications prevention, antenatal care services deals with each woman's specific needs, that high blood pressure affect the foetus growth, pregnant woman need vitamin supplement and iron folic acid tablet during pregnancy.

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of drug use and abuse among student of the University of Benin. A drug is any chemical substance derived from plants, animals or mineral resources, be it traditional or orthodox which is used for internal application to the human body in the treatment of diseases, reduction of pain or to modify the functions of the various systems of the body. Drug abuse is a situation where people use drugs without survey prescription of medical practitioners. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents were derived through the sampling technique from the total population of 33,342 students of the University of Benin. The research adopted questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The research findings showed that more then two-third of students knew what drug abuse was, and indulged in it due to a variety of reasons like pressure and curiously. However a considerable proportion of respondents reported their un-involvement in drug abuse. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students should be health educated on the dangers of drug abuse by organizing seminars and workshops. In addition, the mass media should help in curbing the menace by organizing health programs on radio and television. There should be wide campaigns against drug abuse by NGOs.

Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, posing a substantial risk to vulnerable populations, including nursing mothers and their infants. Mosquito-treated nets (MTNs) serve as an effective preventive measure against malaria transmission. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of nursing mothers towards the use of MTNs in Oredo, Benin City, Edo state. A total of 400 nursing mothers were surveyed to assess their demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of MTNs. The findings revealed that a majority of respondents were aged between 31 and 40, with a predominant educational background in secondary school education. Self- employment was the most common occupation among respondents In terms of knowledge, nursing mothers exhibited a commendable understanding of the purpose and proper usage of MTNs. They demonstrated a high level of awareness regarding the diseases preventable by these nets, primarily malaria. Furthermore, respondents showed confidence in their knowledge of the correct installation and maintenance of MTNs.

Human immunodeficiency virus is the greatest challenge to human kind in the 21 ST century. Mother-to-child transmission of this virus infection is the transmission of the HIV virus from an HIV infected mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. This study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women toward the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS among women attending antenatal care at Oluku primary health care center, Oluku Ovia-Northeast local government area, Benin-city, Edo state. 10 The population of the study constituted 115 pregnant women who attend antenatal care at Oluku primary health care center, Oluku. A sample of 58 pregnant women was selected using random sampling technique of balloting by replacement. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained and the resulted reliability coefficient is 0.711. The data collected was analysed with frequency, percentage and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (r). Findings shows that most the respondents have moderate knowledge about mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. It also shows that there no significant relationship between the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards the prevention of mother-to- child transmission of HIV amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care at Oluku primary health care center.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding
HIV prevention among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Nigeria. Data was collected using a 20-item questionnaire that explored demographic information, students' knowledge of HIV prevention, their attitudes toward HIV prevention, and their preventive practices. The sample consisted of 247 respondents, selected through a combination of random and purposive sampling techniques. The findings revealed that 73% of the students demonstrated a high level of knowledge about HIV prevention, while 24% exhibited moderate knowledge, and 3% had low knowledge. Attitudes towards HIV prevention were largely positive. However, fear of HIV testing emerged as a significant barrier. Regarding preventive practices, condom use was reported consistently by 57.5% of students, while the frequency of HIV testing and participation in HIV awareness programs was lower at 21.9% and 33.6%, respectively. The study concluded that while students possessed adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards HIV prevention, the inconsistent engagement in preventive behaviors indicated the need for more accessible HIV testing services, targeted awareness campaigns, and gender- sensitive interventions. The study recommended that the university expand HIV education programs, improve access to HIV testing, and reduce stigma surrounding HIV testing and prevention.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ekosodin community, Ovie North East L.G.A, Edo State. Three research questions were formulated and evaluated in this study. Related literature was reviewed.The descriptive survey research was adopted in this study. The target population for this study were nursing mothers in Ekosodin community, Ovie North East L.G.A located in the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. The sample size for this study was 100 respondents. The research instrument that was used to solicit the desired information from the respondent for this study was a self-structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts in the department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The test-retest method was adopted to ascertain the reliability of the instrument which involves the administration of the instrument to twenty (20) respondents within a two week interval who were not part of the study. The questionnaires were administered to the 100 respondents and retrieved immediately after completion to ascertain consistency. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage for
the research questions raised. This study revealed that although there is high level of EBF knowledge, however, few mothers have positive attitude towards EBF while the practice is generally low, and need urgent attention as exclusive breastfeeding practices are effective ways of reducing childhood morbidity and mortality.
Base on the findings of the study, it was recommended that exclusive breastfeeding education and awareness programme should be incorporated as part of both antenatal and postnatal programme for mothers to be educated and provided with accurate information about EBF, what it entails and its benefits to the infants, mothers, communities etc., and in addressing some EBF myths and misconceptions. Note that accurate information and supportive counselling are key to empowering mothers to make informed decisions about EBF. Breastfeeding-Friendly Environment (BFE) should be advocated for mothers which encourages breastfeeding. BFE entails privacy (quiet, comfortable and spacious), comfort (safe, clean, cosy area with adequate seating and hydration), supportive (access to lactation consultants, EBF resources), promotion (visible promotion of EBF through signage and literature), protection (free from discrimination and harassment). Creating a BFE empowers mothers to breastfeed confidently and comfortably, promoting a culture that values and supports breastfeeding.

This study aimed to assess the awareness and practice ofmental health promotion among students of the University of Benin, with a focus on identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder mental health-promoting behaviors.
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 240 randomly selected students from various faculties within the university. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed participants' awareness of mental health, their attitudes towards mental health promotion, and their engagement in mental health-promoting behaviors. The questionnaire also gathered information on participants'demographic characteristics, including age, gender, and faculty. The results of the study showed that the majority of the participants were aware of the importance of mental health and expressed a willingness to engage in practices that promote mental health.However, despite this awareness and willingness, only a few of the participants reported practicing mental health-promotion. Further analysis revealed that the low engagement in mental health-promoting behaviors among the participants was largely due to the low availability and accessibility ofmental health services within the university.
The findings ofthis study highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance mental health awareness and practice among university students. Specifically, the study recommends that the university increase the availability and accessibility ofmental health services, provide education and training on mental health promotion, and promote a culture ofmental health awareness and support among students, faculty, and staff.

The study investigated premarital sex among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. To guide this study, five research questions were raised and they were all answered. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of study was 5,373 respondents in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State.
The study adopted a descriptive survey design, 250 respondents were randomly selected from 5,373 students which was the population of the study. The instrument used in collecting the data was questionnaire. The data collected was analysed using a simple percentage.
The study revealed that premarital sex among secondary school students can lead to poor academic performance, various forms of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and death. Thus, parents should educate their children about sex at early age. Health educators should organise awareness campaign in order to provide adequate reproductive health information to students.

This study was carried out to investigate the use of contraceptives among female students of University of Benin, Benin City. Four research questions were raised in the study, The study was a descriptive research which adopted the survey research design . The descriptive survey design was adopted in this study. The population of the study comprises of the (19,288) female undergraduate students in the 14 faculties in the University of Benin. Using random sampling technique, one percent of the total pollution, that is, one hundred and forty three (143) female undergraduate students in 7 faculties across University of Benin were sampled for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used in the data analysis of the study. The questionnaire was validated by two experts and the researcher’s supervisor and test retest method was used to establish reliability of which it's coefficient was 0.89 ascertaining the reliability of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used in the data analysis of the study The findings revealed that; Proportion of female students using contraception 13 in University of Benin is 63.6 %. Three most commonly used contraceptive among female students of University of Benin are emergency contraceptive pills, oral pills and withdrawal method. It was recommended among others that; Consistent use of regular contraceptives and condoms should be emphasized to reduce not only unplanned pregnancies but also sexually transmitted diseases and Government, individuals, philanthropic organizations and Non-governmental organizations should fully participate and increase funding and logistic support to ensure that sensitization of contraceptive use cover every nooks and crannies of University
campuses.