DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCES

Self-medication, defined as the use of medication without medical consultation, is prevalent among women of reproductive age globally and presents notable heath concerns. This study assess the knowledge, practices and influencing factors of self-medication among women aged 15-49 in Uselu Community, Benin City, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were gathered from 323 respondents through a structured questionnaire, with findings analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 86.69% of respondents had prior knowledge of self-medication, often acquired from internet/social media, family, and friends. Despite this awareness, 95.67% had engaged in self-medication within the past year, primarily for minor ailments such as headaches, menstrual pain, and other minor ailments. Analgesics (41.17%) and antibiotics (39.32%) were the most commonly used drugs, with many respondents self-medicating frequently. Influential factors included financial constraints, convenience, ease of access to over-the-counter medications, and long wait times at healthcare facilities. Additionally, social and cultural factors played a role, as family influence and traditional beliefs often guided self-medication practices. This study highlights significant risks associated with this practice, including adverse drug reactions, potential for antimicrobial resistance, and complications in pregnancy, thereby underscoring the need for educational interventions.Recommendations include increasing awareness of the dangers of unsupervised medication use and strengthening regulatory frameworks to limit easy access to potentially harmful drugs. This research study contributes to public health by emphasizing the need for targeted health education and accessible healthcare services to mitigate the adverse effects of selfmedication within this demographic. Keywords: Self-medication, knowledge, women of reproductive age, Nigeria, practice

The study was conducted to assess the adherence to aemodialysis and associated factors among end stage renal disease patients in Nephrology unit in a tertiary facility in Benin. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the knowledge of the importance of haemodialysis among ESRD patients, to ascertain the level of adherence to haemodialysis and associated factors by ESRD patients. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The sample of the study consisted of the two hundred patients attending a nephrology unit in tertiary hospital in Benin. The researcher used a standardized instrument known as the End stage renal disease adherence questiinaire (ESRD-AQ) by Kim et al 2010, was administered to the patients and all (200) questionnaires were retrieved. Demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics – frequency and percentage, chi-square were used to test for relationship between level of adherence to haemodialysis and level of knowledge, independent samples t-test was used to test the significant difference been level of adherence and gender, multiple logistic regression was used to predict the association between the level of adherence and socio-demographic variables. Majority of the respondents have low knowledge on the importance of haemodialysis. The study showed that most of the respondents 73.5% have low level of adherence to haemodialsys, 20% have moderate level of adherence while 6% of the respondents have high level of adherence to haemodialysis. Factors associated with adherence to aemodialysis is lack of transportation, financial constraint,forgetfulness etc. There is an association (p<0.05) between the level of adherence and level of knowledge. There is no significant difference (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and gender. There is an association (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and socio-demographic characteristics. The study recommended that there is the need for structured teaching programme that will improve the knowledge of patients undergoing hemodialysis regarding dietary management and skin care in renal failure thereby preventing life threatening complication and prolonging their life.

This study examined the knowledge, perception, and uptake of voluntary HIV/AIDS screening among accounting students at a Nigerian university. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, 266 participants were selected through a stratified sampling technique to ensure a representative sample across different years of study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data analysis. The study aimed to assess students' level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their attitudes toward screening, and the factors influencing their screening decisions. Results showed a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among participants, with 90.6% demonstrating good understanding, particularly concerning screening purposes, testing timing, and transmission routes. However, despite this high knowledge level, screening uptake was nearly evenly split, with 49.2% reporting good uptake and 50.8% indicating poor uptake. Only 28.2% engaged in regular screening, and just 35.3% had been tested within the last year, highlighting a gap in continuous monitoring. Stigma, lack of awareness, cost considerations, and accessibility emerged as the primary barriers, with 71.4% identifying stigma as a deterrent. Peer influence, awareness initiatives, and access to free testing services were significant facilitators for screening uptake. The study concludes that while knowledge about HIV/AIDS is high among accounting students, this does not consistently translate to regular screening behavior. Addressing both structural and psychosocial barriers is critical to improving HIV screening uptake. Recommendations
include implementing institutional awareness programs, offering cost-free and easily accessible screening services, and developing peer support networks to reduce stigma. These interventions could contribute to a more consistent and proactive approach to HIV/AIDS screening among university students, ultimately supporting early detection and preventive health behaviors.

This study examined the knowledge, perception, and uptake of voluntary HIV/AIDS screening among accounting students at a Nigerian university. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, 266 participants were selected through a stratified sampling technique to ensure a representative sample across different years of study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data analysis. The study aimed to assess students' level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their attitudes toward screening, and the factors influencing their screening decisions. Results showed a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among participants, with
90.6% demonstrating good understanding, particularly concerning screening purposes, testing timing, and transmission routes. However, despite this high knowledge level, screening uptake was nearly evenly split, with 49.2% reporting good uptake and 50.8% indicating poor uptake. Only 28.2% engaged in regular screening, and just 35.3% had been tested within the last year, highlighting a gap in continuous monitoring. Stigma, lack of awareness, cost considerations, and accessibility emerged as the primary barriers, with 71.4% identifying stigma as a deterrent. Peer influence, awareness initiatives, and access to free testing services were significant facilitators for screening uptake. The study concludes that while knowledge about HIV/AIDS is high among accounting students, this does not consistently translate to regular screening behavior. Addressing both structural and psychosocial barriers is critical to improving HIV screening uptake. Recommendations include implementing institutional awareness programs, offering cost-free and easily accessible screening services, and developing peer support networks to reduce stigma. These interventions could contribute to a more consistent and proactive approach to HIV/AIDS screening among university students, ultimately supporting early detection and preventive health behaviors.

Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, contributing to school dropout, maternal and infant morbidity, and socio-economic challenges. This study aimed to assess the awareness and contributing factors of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in a local government area of Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design
was employed. Simple random sampling was used to select 271 participants from two secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was distributed, and 266 were properly filled and valid for analysis, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics summarized socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence, awareness, and contributing factors of teenage pregnancy. Chi-square tests were conducted to assess the relationship between the level of awareness of sex education and the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. The study revealed a self-reported teenage pregnancy prevalence of 6.8%, with higher rates among older adolescents (17–19 years). Approximately 70% of students demonstrated good awareness of sex education and reproductive health, though gaps and misconceptions persisted regarding contraception and reproductive health
components. Multiple factors were identified as contributing to teenage pregnancy, including poverty, peer influence, lack of parental care, broken homes, low self-confidence, early marriage, social media exposure, and cultural or religious restrictions. A significant association was found between awareness of sex education and teenage pregnancy awareness (χ² = 6.765, p = 0.01). Teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in the study area is influenced by a combination of socio-demographic, familial, economic, psychological, and cultural factors, while adequate awareness of sex education serves as a protective factor. Comprehensive sex education programs, parental and community engagement, targeted interventions for vulnerable adolescents, and accessible youth-friendly reproductive health services are recommended to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and promote adolescent well-being.

This study assessed the awareness, perception, and utilization of genetic counsellingforbreast cancer among relatives of patients with cancer in the University of Benin TeachingHospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State. Genetic counselling plays a vital role in identifyingindividuals at risk of hereditary breast cancer and in promoting preventive and early detectionstrategies. However, limited awareness and accessibility hinder its utilization in manylowresource settings, including Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 169 participants who were relativesofcancer patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Astructuredquestionnaire was used for data collection, and 163 properly completed questionnaires wereanalyzed, representing a 96.5% response rate. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 and presented in frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that the majorityofrespondents (64%) had a poor level of awareness of genetic counselling for breast cancer, while 61% exhibited negative perceptions toward it. The level of utilization was alsolow, with 77% of participants reporting that they had never accessed or engaged ingeneticcounselling services. Major barriers identified included high cost (82.8%), lack of awareness(81.6%), limited availability of trained professionals, cultural and religious beliefs, andpoorinstitutional support. Hypothesis testing showed a significant relationship between awarenessand perception (p = 0.012) and between perception and utilization (p = 0.01). The studyconcluded that awareness, perception, and utilization of genetic counselling for breast canceramong relatives of cancer patients remain low due to informational, financial, and systemicbarriers. It was recommended that government and health institutions intensifypubliceducation, subsidize counselling costs, train healthcare providers especially nurses ingeneticcounselling, and integrate genetic services into routine cancer care to improve accessibilityand uptake.

Self-diagnosis, a pervasive practice in resource-limited settings, poses significant public health concerns. There is a concept of resorting to self-diagnosis and self-medication to manage perceived malaria and typhoid symptoms. This study investigates the link between selfdiagnosed malaria-typhoid trends and antibiotic misuse among traders in Uselu Market, Benin
City, Nigeria. The research aims to examine how frequent self-diagnosis contributes to inappropriate antibiotic use, thereby escalating antibiotic resistance. A correlational design was applied, sampling 322 traders through a stratified random method, using a structured questionnaire for data collection. Data analysis utilized chi-square statistics to test the associations between self-diagnosis, socioeconomic factors, and antibiotic misuse. Findings revealed a high prevalence of self-diagnosed malaria-typhoid (78.3%) and a significant level of antibiotic misuse (69.2%) among respondents. A notable association exists between selfdiagnosis and misuse of antibiotics (p<0.001), with socioeconomic status influencing selfdiagnosis but not antibiotic misuse. This study emphasizes the critical need for targeted public health education on accurate diagnosis and responsible antibiotic use to curb resistance. Recommendations include enhancing healthcare accessibility and implementing awareness campaigns to inform traders of the risks associated with self-diagnosis and improper antibiotic consumption. Further research studies should investigate self-diagnosis and antibiotics misuse in different regions for a better understanding.