DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

In the contemporary digital era globally, social media has become an integral part of daily human interactions, especially among young adults and the middle-aged individuals. Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are frequently used for communication, entertainment, and information sharing. While these platforms offer numerous advantages, their overuse has been linked to addictive behaviors that may negatively affect interpersonal relationships and mental health (Kuss & Griffiths, 2023). In Nigeria, particularly in Edo State, the upsurge of smartphones and internet access has amplified social media usage, with increasing concerns about its consequences on family cohesion and domestic behavior. Social media addiction is characterized by excessive concern with social networking platforms, driven by an uncontrollable urge to use them, and devoting so much time and effort to them that it interferes with other important areas of life (Andreassen, Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2022). Individuals suffering from this form of behavioral addiction often experience mood modification, salience, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict, and relapse, similar to other forms of addiction

This study explores the intersection of social work, gender equality, and women's empowerment in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It examines the role of social work in promoting gender equality and empowering women, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in this context. The study employs a Survey Research Design method of data collection. The findings reveal that social work interventions can significantly impact women's empowerment and gender equality, but face challenges such as cultural and societal norms, limited resources, and inadequate policy implementation. The study concludes that social work can play a vital role in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Benin City, and recommends increased investment in social work programs, policy reforms, and community engagement.

This study investigated the mental health challenges affecting residents in Uselu Community, Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, fifteen (15) research questions subdivided into five (5) thematic parts were raised and answered. The population of the study consisted of residents living within key areas of Uselu Community. Available data from the National Population Census (NPC, 2025) indicates that Uselu Community forms part of the estimated 404,218 residents in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size for this study consisted of sixty (60) respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study revealed that there is a significant presence of mental health challenges in Uselu Community, particularly stress, depression, anxiety, substance-related issues, and emotional strain. It was concluded that these challenges are driven by socio-economic difficulties, stigma, limited awareness of mental health, cultural beliefs, and poor access to professional care. The findings further showed that while some residents possess basic knowledge of mental health, many still avoid seeking help due to fear of discrimination. The study also revealed that social workers contribute through counselling, advocacy, community sensitization, referral services, and direct support to vulnerable individuals, although their efforts are often hindered by inadequate resources. The study recommended among others that the government, health agencies, and community leaders should intensify mental health awareness campaigns and strengthen access to community-based mental health services. Social workers should be provided with adequate tools to implement effective intervention strategies. Local authorities must also create mechanisms to monitor mental health risks and encourage early reporting and treatment of affected persons

This study used the quantitative research method to determine the impact of child labour on academic performance of children in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State. The survey design was adopted as the research design for the study and a sample size of one hundred (120) respondents were randomly taken using the simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire instrument was used for data collection and the content validity was used for validation while the test retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 was used to analyze the data using the frequency distribution and simple percentage method. The study showed that some women are highly competent for most of the job opportunities in Nigeria but yet are not adequately employed due to diverse reasons such as inequalities as a result of gender

This study was conducted to examine the impact of child abuse and neglect in Etsako East Local Government Area. The objectives of this study were to; examine the impact of child abuse and neglect on the physical health of children in Etsako East Local Government Area, examine the impact of child abuse and neglect on the education of children in Etsako East Local Government Area, examine the impact of child abuse and neglect on the emotional health of children in Etsako East Local Government Area and to examine the impact of child abuse and neglect on the medical well-being of children in Etsako East Local Government Area. The descriptive research design was adopted and used in carrying out the study and the population consisted of all the students in secondary schools in Etsako LGA, with a sample size of 250 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Social Works. The split half reliability method was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) questionnaires were administered to the sample respondents and data collected was analyzed using frequency count and percentage. The findings of the study revealed that; child abuse and neglect has a bad impact on the physical health of children in Etsako East Local Government Area. Also, findings from the study further revealed that child abuse and neglect has a negative impact on the education of children in Etsako East Local Government Area. It was also revealed that child abuse and neglect has a bad impact on the emotional health of children in Etsako East Local Government Area. Lastly, findings from this study also revealed that there is no negative impact on the medical well being of children in Etsako East Local Government Area due to child abuse and neglect.

The study looked at the impact of socio-economic status on educational performance of University of Benin students, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of socio-economic status on educational performance of University of Benin students, Benin city. The research questions asked to achieve the objective of the study were as follows; To what extent do socio- economic factors such as family income and parental education level correlate with academic performance metrics like GPA and graduation rates among students at the University of Benin, What are the roles of income on the academic performance of students at the University of Benin, What are the impact of family background on academic performance and In what ways do socio-economic factors interact with other student success factors, such as study habits, learning styles, and access to mental health resources, to influence academic performance at the University of Benin.The sample size was 301 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that Understanding these challenges is crucial for developing targeted interventions aimed at fostering a more equitable learning environment at UNIBEN. The proposed interventions fall within three broad categories: financial support, academic support, and social support. Financial support initiatives range from need-based scholarships and grant programs to financial literacy workshops. Academic support services can include tutoring programs, supplemental instruction sessions, and writing center resources. Social support interventions encompass mentorship programs specifically designed for low-SES students, fostering peer support groups, and creating racially inclusive student organizations. Recommendations were made based on the findings and one of the recommendations: Universities should prioritize expanding need-based scholarships and grant programs specifically designed to support low-SES students. These programs should account for the full cost of attendance, encompassing tuition fees, living expenses, and the cost of essential academic resources like textbooks and technology. Partnering with corporations, foundations, and alumni associations can further bolster scholarship opportunities

This study examines the role of social workers in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Other objectives are to find out the role of the social workers in the control of HIV aids in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), to assess the capacity of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to control HIV/AIDS, to find out what should be done to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in university of Benin Teaching hospital (UBTH) The instrument adopted for data collection in this study is the structure questionnaires and was administered only to literate people. The sample size of this study is 50 respondents The primary data collected was analyzed using statistical analysis tools. Coding was done in Microsoft Excel 2010 while the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used. Tables were used for easy presentation of results, simple percentage was used to analyze the results obtained from the questionnaires distributed while cross-sectional method was used to test the relationship between social worker role and HIV/AID prevention in UBTH. The finding showed that social workers has play their role by advising, making sure that those HIV patient do not go to the public place and creating awareness in the control of HIV/AIDS in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), by advising both patient and employee at UBTH and creating awareness to every individual. Both employee and non employee at UBTH are nowaware of the way to control HIV, how to prevent and how it can be treated, it was also reviewed that with the role of social workers at UBTH the level of HIV/AIDS patient at UBTH has reduce, respondent also reviewed that if individual should be advised to avoid misusing drug which can lead to engaging in certain behaviour that may increase chances of contracting or transmitting HIV and if sharing of needles for shooting DRUGS, piercings or tattoos is avoided, the level of HIV spreading will reduce.

This study evaluated the social work intervention strategies for the remediation of Child abuse in the mitigation of such disaster, it specifically examined the factors promoting Child abuse and neglect , investigated the effects of Child abuse in the lives of the victims and the society at large, ascertained the people's perspective and knowledge about Social Workers and how they have intervened so far and examined most children who are depressed and isolated as a result of abuse from caregivers and significant others. The theories that help to inform this study are applicable to the many forms of child maltreatment. These theories include Ecological Systems Theory, Trauma- informed care, Attachment theory, family system theory, social learning theory/intergenerational transmission of violence, general strain theory, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Self-control theory, filicide typology, three-factor theory and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. The result of the research showed that the main
factors that contribute to child abuse includes poverty and economic instability , lack of education and healthcare , cultural norms that condone violence, Parental attitudes towards corporal punishment: Parents who believe in physical punishment are more likely to abuse their children, Socio-economic status: Children from poorer families are at a higher risk of abuse because sometimes they are forced to labor very hard for the family, Child's age and sex: Male children and those in certain age groups are more vulnerable to abuse, Conflict and instability, parental history of abuse, weak child protection systems. non-challant attitude
of the government towards perpetuators. The study utilized the survey Research design and the qualitative approach, the population of the study was made up of persons residing in Sajnt Saviour Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, who have been residing there for at least six years, who have been abused and neglected and willing to participate and also understand the phenomenon being investigated. The sample size of the study was 100, which is made up of 50 males and 50 females and participants were selected through simple random sampling method. The study utilized the interview guide that were used to interview the selected and consented participants on a one-on-one basis. The data collected were thematically analysed and presented in a qualitative pattern of research. The results of the analysis showed that social workers have helped in the intervention of child labour and neglect in areas of education, family and marital status. This is to state that the practice of social work in Saint Savior Community has helped to ratify many vices that the children are faced with in some of the institutions like education and family. The research also entails social workers helping to advise parents about their children’s abuse and neglect
and also caution couples on the dangers of divorce on their children and how it can affect them negatively.

This study investigates the incidence and impact of human trafficking in Osasogie Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. It adopts a descriptive research design to observe and describe the behavior and experiences of community members, including parents, guardians, and trafficking survivors, without manipulation. The total population of 31,347 households, as obtained from the 2023 National Population Commission (NPC) records, was used to determine a sample size of 397 respondents through the Taro Yamane (1967) formula at a 95% confidence level. A stratified sampling technique was employed to select representative clusters within the community, while convenience sampling ensured fair questionnaire distribution. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire divided into demographic and objective-based sections, with validity ensured through expert review and reliability tested via the test-retest method using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques—such as frequencies, percentages, means, and Chi-square tests—were utilized for analysis using SPSS software. Ethical considerations were strictly observed, ensuring confidentiality, informed consent, and voluntary participation. The study provides a scientific and systematic framework to understand and address human trafficking in Osasogie Community, offering insights that could inform policy formulation and community intervention strategies

This study examined the knowledge and awareness of mental health services among women in Benin City. Mental health has become a vital aspect of overall well-being, yet many individuals, particularly women, still lack adequate awareness of available services and resources. The study aimed to assess the level of awareness, identify sources of information, and explore the barriers that influence the utilization of mental health services among women in Benin City. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to women residing in Benin City. The findings revealed that although many respondents understood the concept of mental health and believed that mental health problems are treatable, the level of awareness of existing mental health services remains low. Most women were unaware of where to seek professional help when facing mental health challenges. The study also found that cultural beliefs, social stigma, financial constraints, and poor access to information significantly affect help-seeking behaviour. Social media and informal networks emerged as the main sources of mental health information, while professional health channels were less utilized. The study concludes that despite growing recognition of mental health issues, awareness and utilization of mental health services among women in Benin City remain inadequate. It recommends intensified public health education, improved funding, and community-based awareness campaigns to bridge the gap between mental health knowledge and service utilization