DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING

There is a significant difference in the attitude towards UTI prevention and control between different year levels of nursing students. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in women, including female nursing students, who may be at increased risk due to lifestyle and academic stressors. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward prevention and control are essential in reducing their incidence and complications. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of female nursing students at the University of Benin, Benin City, regarding UTI prevention and control. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and 260 female nursing students from 200 to 500 level were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Of the distributed questionnaires, 256 were correctly completed, yielding a 96.5% response rate. Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0, with results presented in frequencies, percentages, means, and charts. Findings revealed that 80% of respondents had good knowledge of UTI causes, prevention, and complications, with a grand mean knowledge score of 3.2. Most participants were aged 20–24 (55.9%), single (84.4%), and Christian (82.4%). The general attitude toward UTI prevention was positive, also with a grand mean score of 3.2. Many students agreed on the importance of UTI prevention and expressed a willingness to educate others. Despite the overall positive findings, minor knowledge gaps were observed, particularly regarding the preventive role of cranberry juice. The study recommends enhanced health education within nursing curricula to address these gaps. Additionally, regular hygiene campaigns and sensitization seminars could further promote preventive behavior among students

One of the most prevalent gynaecological issues affecting teenage females, especially those enrolled in secondary schools, is dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation. In this study, female students in a subset of secondary schools in Edo State, Nigeria's Ovia North-East Local Government Area were asked about their knowledge of and approaches to managing dysmenorrhea. A total of 254 female students from SS1 to SS3 were chosen using a stratified random sampling procedure as part of a cross-sectional descriptive research design. A systematic self-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data, and the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that just 27.9% of respondents had ever heard of dysmenorrhea, showing a lack of knowledge about the disorder, while 78.7% of respondents reported experiencing menstrual pain.Many students reported absence and decreased academic concentration during their periods, and moderate to severe discomfort was highly prevalent. The majority of pain management was self-directed, with 32.3% relaxing or sleeping to relieve pain, 29.1% using heat therapy, and 34.6% regularly using over-the-counter medications. Only 2%, nevertheless, went to school clinics for medical assistance. The management strategies used and awareness of dysmenorrhea were found to be significantly correlated by the Chi-square analysis (p = 0.03). Although dysmenorrhea is very common among girls in secondary school, the study found that there is still a lack of awareness and proper treatment. It suggests enhancing access to adolescent-friendly health facilities, addressing sociocultural barriers to obtaining professional treatment, and integrating menstrual health education into school curricula.