Faculty of Nursing

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a vital public health strategy recommended for the first six months of life, providing optimal nutrition and immunity for infants. Despite its benefits, many nursing mothers face challenges that hinder its effective practice. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers attending the Infant Welfare Clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 127 nursing mothers selected through a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to summarize and interpret the data. The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, with 75.6% correctly identifying the recommended six-month duration. However, while 59.1% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, a notable proportion discontinued before six months due to factors such as return to work, lack of family support, and perceived insufficient breast milk. Significant associations were found between knowledge and practice levels, as well as between exclusive breastfeeding practice and socio-demographic variables such as age and parity. The study concluded that although knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers was generally high, this did not always translate into optimal practice. Gaps remain due to socio-cultural and economic challenges. Based on the findings, it is recommended that more targeted health education and breastfeeding support programs be implemented, especially those addressing workplace support and family involvement. Policymakers should also consider extending maternity leave and promoting breastfeeding-friendly environments in public and private sectors to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates. This study provides useful insights for healthcare providers and stakeholders involved in maternal and child health promotion.

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that significantly affects academic performance, social functioning, and overall wellbeing among university students. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with depression among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 382 students drawn from the Faculty of Arts through a stratified random sampling technique. A structured self- administered questionnaire incorporating the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression levels, while additional sections captured socio- demographic, academic, and lifestyle variables. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed that depression was prevalent among undergraduate students, with varying degrees of severity influenced by socio-demographic, academic, and lifestyle factors. Female students, those with lower socioeconomic status, students living off-campus, and those with high academic workloads were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. Furthermore, poor sleep quality, substance use, and lack of social support were significantly
associated with higher depression rates. Academic performance and self-efficacy were inversely related to depressive symptomatology, indicating that academic stress and low motivation contribute substantially to the development of depression. The findings underscore the urgent need for institutional interventions aimed at promoting mental health awareness, early screening, and the integration of counseling and peer support services within the university system. It is recommended that the University of Benin enhance mental health literacy programs, provide academic accommodations for affected students, and strengthen psychosocial support mechanisms to mitigate depression and its consequences among undergraduates.

This study assessed the burden of care as a predictor of quality of life among care givers of hypertensive patients attending a tertiary health facility in Benin City, Edo State. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 195 caregiver-patient pairs with data collected using structured questionnaires, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF(WHOQoL-BREF) instrument that assessed their demographic characteristics, burden of care among caregivers, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of caregivers and hypertensive patients, and the factors associated with burden of care among caregivers. The findings revealed thatabout 56.4% of caregivers experienced a high level of burden, with a mean ZBI score of 44.07(SD = 6.30), and 13.8% reported severe burden. Moreso, having no formal education (compared to tertiary education) was associated with significantly lower odds of experiencing a higher burden of care (OR = 0.362, 95% CI [0.148, 0.885], p = 0.026). Furthermore, caregivers who desired to continue caregiving (compared to not desiring to continue) were significantly more likely to report a high burden of care (OR = 2.431, 95% CI [1.297, 4.556], p = 0.006). Additionally, multivariate analysis examining the relationship between quality of life domains and the likelihood of experiencing a high burden of care revealed that reporting a low psychological quality of life (compared to high psychological QoL) significantly increased the odds of high burden (OR = 6.474, 95% CI [1.369, 30.616], p = 0.018), and reporting a low environmental quality of life (compared to high environmental QoL) also significantly increased the odds of high burden (OR = 6.168, 95% CI [1.069, 35.596], p = 0.042). However, the study concluded on the need for targeted caregiver education, psychosocial support, and strategies to improve patient adherence to mitigate caregiver burden and enhance their quality of life

This study assessed the prevalence, awareness, influencing factors, and drug usage patterns of self-medication among undergraduate students at the University of Benin. A cross-sectionalsurvey was conducted with 355 students selected from the Faculty of Art using a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their demographic characteristics, level of awareness regarding risks and consequences of self-medications, prevalence rate of self-medication, and factors influencing self-medication practices. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that 79.7% of respondents engaged in self-medication at least sometimes, with47.9% always practicing it. Pain relievers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, were the mostcommonly used drugs (77.2%), followed by antimalarials (61.7%). Despite high awareness ofthe risks—such as drug resistance (xത = 3.52) and adverse health effects from overdosing (xത=3.55), self-medication remains widespread. Factors significantly influencing this practice included easy access to drugs without prescriptions (χ² = 36.731, p = 0.001), long hospital waiting times (χ² = 4.834, p = 0.028), high treatment costs (χ² = 5.159, p = 0.023), and advicefrom non-medical sources (χ² = 9.383, p = 0.002). Hence, the study concluded that self medication is highly prevalent among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, despite a generally high level of awareness about its associated risks and consequences. However, recommendations included the need for regulatory, educational, and healthcare system interventions to promote safe medication practices among undergraduates.

This study examined the economic burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the payment coping mechanisms of patients receiving care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting sickle cell patients who attended the outpatient clinic and wards of UBTH. A sample size of 100 respondents was selected using simple random sampling from an estimated population of 118 patients. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, direct and indirect medical costs, socioeconomic cost distribution, and payment coping strategies. Validity of the instrument was ensured through expert review, and reliability was established via a test-retest method yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.85. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, means, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Direct costs were calculated using the bottom-up approach, while indirect costs were assessed through the human capital approach. Inferential analysis was done using ANOVA and Chi-square tests to determine significant associations, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained, and patient confidentiality and voluntary participation were assured. The findings highlight the substantial economic burden SCD imposes on patients and the diverse strategies employed to cope with payment demands, providing a basis for policy recommendations aimed at improving access to care and financial protection for individuals living with SCD.

This study assessed the influence of self-esteem on the academic performance of
undergraduate nursing students in a tertiary academic institution. A descriptive
correlational research design was adopted, and a sample of 282 students was selected
using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured
questionnaire comprising the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and an academic performance
scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive
statistics, Pearson correlation, t-test, and chi-square. The findings revealed a significant
positive correlation between self-esteem and academic performance, indicating that
students with higher self-esteem achieved better academic results. No significant
association was found between self-esteem and demographic variables such as ethnicity
and religion. However, students in higher academic levels displayed slightly higher self- esteem and academic competence. The study concluded that self-esteem plays a crucial
role in the academic success of nursing students. It was recommended that tertiary
institutions should implement programs and support services aimed at enhancing
students’ self-esteem to improve academic outcomes. The study further suggested the need
for future research using longitudinal designs and exploring other psychological and
environmental factors influencing student performance. Keywords: Influence, Self-esteem, Academic performance, undergraduate, Nursing student.