DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a significant public health concern among adolescents, particularly in developing countries where knowledge gaps, risky sexual practices, and inadequate preventive strategies persist. This study examined the knowledge, attitude, and practices of risky sexual behavior associated with STDs among adolescents in public secondary schools in Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from a stratified sample of students using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The findings revealed varying levels of awareness of STDs, with a notable proportion of respondents demonstrating misconceptions regarding modes of transmission and prevention. While some adolescents exhibited positive attitudes toward safe sexual practices, a considerable number engaged in behaviors that increase their susceptibility to STDs, including unprotected sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partnerships. The study further identified sociocultural influences, peer pressure, and inadequate sexual health education as contributing factors to risky sexual behavior. Based on these findings, it is recommended that comprehensive sexuality education be integrated into the school curriculum, alongside peer-led interventions and community sensitization programs, to promote safer sexual practices and reduce the prevalence of STDs among adolescents in Benin City

This study investigated the knowledge, utilization, and factors affecting the use of mobile technology for knowledge update among nurses in selected secondary health care facilities in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. The study aimed to determine the level of nurses’ knowledge of mobile technology, their extent of utilization, and the factors influencing its use for professional knowledge update. Three research questions were raised, and one hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 202 registered nurses from two selected secondary health care institutions in Benin City, from which a sample size of 148 respondents was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula and convenience sampling method. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and validated by experts in nursing and research methodology, while a pilot study yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, and chi square tests. The findings revealed that most respondents possessed an average level of knowledge of mobile technology and demonstrated moderate utilization, primarily for professional and general knowledge updates. Major factors influencing use included lack of appropriate mobile devices, unreliable network connectivity, long login times, and heavy workload. The study concluded that mobile technology plays a significant role in improving nurses’ access to up-to-date knowledge but its utilization is hindered by infrastructural and institutional challenges. It was recommended that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria integrate mobile technology into continuing education programs and that healthcare institutions improve technological access and support for nurses

This study investigated nutritional knowledge and dietary habits among diabetic patients in a tertiary health institution, Edo State. The study aims to ascertain level of nutritional knowledge of diabetes among patients with diabetes, dietary habits of pa tients with diabetes and the factors influencing food consumption pattern of patients with diabetes attending a tertiary institution, Benin City. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study and stated hypothesis was tested at <0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a non-experimental descriptive survey design. The study population was 440 Diabetic patients attending treatment at University of Benin teaching hospital, from which a sample size of 230 respondents were selected for the study using convenient sampling method. A well-structured questionnaire instrument was drafted and used for data collection. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and two other experts in the field. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted and a reliability value greater than (>0.5) was obtained. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency count, percentages, means, Anova and graphical representation of results.The result shows that majority of the respondents have fair nutritional knowledge of diabetes. Also, majority of the respondents have poor dietary habits. Furthermore, taste preferences, emotional state, food prices, availability of healthy option are factors influencing food consumption pattern. Based on the findings, it was concluded and recommended that there should be health education by nurses to enlighten people on the importance of good dietary changes to health and mass media outlets such as television, radio, road jingles and posters etc. should be used to disseminate useful information on the importance of nutritional knowledge of diabetes

is study assessed the knowledge and practice of safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs amongst nurses in tertiary health institution, Benin City. The study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice in the safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs among nurses in a tertiary health institution; and to identify the perceived factors that support the practice of safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs among nurses in a tertiary health institution. Three research questions were raised and answered while two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 significance value. The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional design and simple random sampling method was used to select 278 nurses in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A well-structured questionnaire was used as instruments for data collection. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and two other experts in the field. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted and a reliability value greater than (>0.5) was obtained. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive (frequency, percentages, mean value) and inferential statistics (chi-square statistical test) to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level using International Business Machine (IBM) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. The result shows that majority of the respondents have fair level of knowledge of chemotherapeutic drugs and low level of practice of safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs and that none of the sociodemographic characteristics was associated with level of knowledge of chemotherapeutic drugs

This study investigated the prevalence and outcome of malaria infection among children below 11 years of age in a tertiary healthcare facility in Benin City from 2022–2024. The study aimed to determine the months and years when malaria infection was most prevalent, the gender in which malaria infection was most common, the number of children who had malaria infection, and the treatment outcomes of malaria infection among children below 11 years in a selected tertiary healthcare facility from 2022–2024. The study adopted a non-experimental, retrospective
research design method. The study population consisted of all children aged 0 to 10 years who presented with a confirmed diagnosis of malaria at a selected tertiary healthcare facility in Benin City, Edo State, between 2022–2024. A sample size of 900 medical records was selected for the study using a retrospective census sampling technique. A checklist was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and two other experts in the field. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted prior to full data collection, extracting information from 20 randomly selected pediatric malaria case records not included in the main study. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 to obtain the Mean, SD, chi-square, and P-value < 0.05. The result shows that malaria was most prevalent in May and in the year 2023, and the treatment outcome of malaria infection had a 95% success rate and a 5% failure rate. Based on the findings, it was recommended that health education by health personnel should be intensified to enlighten parents on the dangers of malaria and ways of preventing it. Mass media outlets such as television, radio, road jingles, and posters should also be used to disseminate useful information on malaria.

Nurses frequently experience emotional and psychological distress when confronted with patient Nurses frequently experience emotional and psychological distress when confronted with patient death, which can affect their mental well being and professional performance. Coping strategies are therefore vital in managing grief, preventing burnout, and sustaining quality care. This study assessed the coping strategies adopted by nurses and the factors influencing their use in a selected tertiary institution in Benin City, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 227 nurses. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 to identify coping strategies, their perceived effectiveness, and the relationship between utilization, effectiveness, and influencing factors.Findings revealed that the most commonly adopted strategies included religious or spiritual practices, seeking emotional support from colleagues, debriefing sessions, suppressing emotions, maintaining professional emotional distance, and reliance on cultural beliefs. These approaches were generally perceived as effective, while formal training and institutional support programs were the least utilized and considered less effective. Results further indicated that factors such as years of professional experience, prior exposure to patient death, age, and marital status significantly influenced the type and effectiveness of coping strategies adopted. A significant association was also observed between higher utilization of coping strategies and greater perceived effectiveness (p = 0.01).The study concludes that nurses in the selected institution primarily depend on personal and peer-based coping mechanisms, which are largely effective. However, formal training and institutional support programs remain underutilized. It is therefore recommended that healthcare institutions priori tize structured training, grief counseling, and supportive programs while considering individual and demographic factors that shape coping patterns.

The rise of chronic diseases among young adults underscores the imperative need to investigate the intricate relationships between personality and dietary habits. This study investigates the relationship between personality traits and dietary habits among undergraduate nursing students in a tertiary institution in Edo State, utilizing a quantitative descriptive design. A total of 244 questionnaires were distributed, achieving a 100% response rate. The study found that 32.8% of respondents identified as extroverted, while other traits like agreeableness and conscientiousness each accounted for 16.4%.The results revealed disturbing trends in students dietary habits including frequently missed breakfast (77.5%), consumed fast food (65.25%), and regularly drank carbonated or sugary beverages (85.2%), with only 20.5% eating fruits and vegetables often. Key factors influencing these habits included loneliness, academic stress, lack of cooking skills, and limited nutritional knowledge. Results highlighted a significant association between the students' personality traits and their dietary habits (p<0.05). The findings underscore critical implications for nursing practice and education, emphasizing the need for improved nutritional education and health promotion strategies among nursing students. Tailored nutrition education which takes into account individual trait differences to modify the dietary habits. Limitations included potential biases in self-reported data. Future studies are required to identify persons who are at risk of diet related diseases to inform the development of appropriate dietary interventions bearing the mind the personality traits they exhibit.
Keywords: Personality Traits, Dietary Habits, Nursing Students, Health Promotion

The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and pediatric health outcomes represents a critical public health concern, particularly in developing nations. This study investigates the perceived association between SES and pediatric health conditions among residents of Ekosodin Community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research
design, data was collected from parents and guardians through structured questionnaires. The study found that a significant majority (78.7%) of respondents perceived a strong correlation between SES and pediatric health outcomes. Key findings revealed that limited access to
healthcare services, poor nutritional status, and inadequate preventive care were more prevalent among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, factors such as parental education level and living conditions were identified as significant determinants of children's health status. Only 2.5% of respondents had health insurance coverage, highlighting substantial barriers to healthcare access. The study recommends implementing targeted health education programs, community-based initiatives, and policy reforms to address these disparities. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on SES-related health inequities and provide actionable insights for healthcare providers and policymakers working to improve pediatric health outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Aseptic technique is maintaining a sterile environment to stop the spread of infections in medical settings (Carrisa, 2018). For patients to be protected from healthcare-associated infections (HAI), aseptic technique is a critical infection prevention capability (Stephen and Simon, 2018). The use of surgical gloves, surgical attire, preoperative aseptic skin preparation, aseptic instrument
preparation, and aseptic environment management are all examples of aseptic method practices

Malaria continues to be a major public health and development issue. Pregnant women, their developing fetus, and new babies are all at increased risk of malaria infection, which is a serious public health issue. The most severe symptoms and results of malaria typically affect pregnant women; they include greater rates of miscarriage, intrauterine mortality, early delivery, low-birth- weight infants, and neonatal death. They are also more likely to experience severe anemia and pass away during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of insecticide-treated nets in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women attending St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital, Benin City. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used for this study. The sample size was 262 pregnant women attending antenatal at St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital and a non-probability accidental sampling technique was used with a self-administered questionnaire. Pregnant women in this study were quite knowledgeable about malaria and its causes, prevention, and control. Pregnant women in the study could identify some symptoms and causes of malaria. Only a considerable number of pregnant women in the study had the insecticide-treated net while only a minimal number were making use of it. The primary source of the insecticide-treated net was the government, with the study being carried out at a privately-owned hospital being a potential reason for the rather low ownership of ITNs by pregnant women. There was a moderate level of knowledge of malaria and ITN among pregnant women. However, there was poor utilization of ITNs in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women. Barriers to the use of insecticide treated nets ranged from a lack of awareness to insecticide-treated nets being uncomfortable to sleep under.