FACULTY OF SCHOOL AND BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Background: Chronic low back pain is typically characterized by persistent low back pain exceeding 12 weeks, it places a substantial burden on individuals, society, and the economy, affecting daily life, productivity, and overall well-being. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is influenced by physical, psychological, and social factors. A major psychological factor is kinesiophobia an excessive fear of movement due to the belief that activity may worsen symptoms, which contributes to disability, and a decline in overall quality of life. However there is little studies on the relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, disability and quality of life among patients with chronic low back pain. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, disability and quality of life among patients with chronic low back pain in UBTH. Methods: This was a cross sectional design study where 57 participants were recruited via purposive sampling technique from patients with chronic low back pain in university of Benin teaching hospital. Questionnaires used in this study included Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK),Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF), Data was summarized using interferential statistics such as Spearman’s rank correlation test to check for the association between the variables. The level of significance was set at p=0.05 Results: Majority of the participants 29 (51.0%) had moderate pain intensity, 48(84%) of participants had a greater level of fear of movement, the greater degree of functional disability waoderate accounting for 37 (65%) and majority of the participants overall quality of life was moderate of 31 (57.4%), 31 (57.4%) reported a moderate overall quality of life. Furthermore, the result shows there is a significant relationship between kinesiophobia, pain intensity, disability and quality of life.( p=0.05) Conclusion: This study shows that there are significant interrelationships among pain, kinesiophobia, and disability among patients with chronic low back pain at UBTH. Key words: Chronic low back pain, kinesiophobia, disability, quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide, resulting in frequent motor impairment that affects patients‘ independence and quality of life. Method: This study employed a retrospective study design, examining existing data from case notes and medical records. Data were collected from hospital physiotherapy records of stroke survivors managed between 2018 and 2024. Information collected include demographics, stroke type, pre and post treatment scores using the NIHSS and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Data analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS version 26 using descriptive and Chi-square statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Result: The study of 82 stroke survivors demonstrated that physiotherapy intervention led to statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) in motor function. Post-treatment results showed marked increases in upper and lower limb muscle strength, with the proportion of patients rated as having "good" coordination rising from 39.0% to 64.6%, balance from 35.4% to 67.1%, and range of motion from 18.3% to 62.2%. Conclusion: Comprehensive physiotherapy is highly effective in promoting motor recovery after stroke. A multifaceted rehabilitation approach, rather than reliance on a single technique, is recommended to maximize patient outcomes in strength, balance, and coordination. Keyword: Physiotherapy intervention, motor recovery, stroke. UBTH

Background: The adoption of telerehabilitation is increasingly recognized as a vital component of modern physiotherapy, yet its application for physical modalities remains underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings like Nigeria. Understanding the perspectives of physiotherapists is crucial for the successful integration of this technology into patient care. Aim: This study aimed to examine the perspectives of physiotherapists in the South-South region of Nigeria on the use of telerehabilitation for physical modalities. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 80 licensed physiotherapists (56 males, 24 females) practicing in South-South Nigeria. An online, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, perspectives on telerehabilitation, perceived strengths and barriers, and the use and administration of physical modalities in telerehabilitation. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to determine associations between sociodemographic variables and respondents’ perspectives. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: The respondents were predominantly male (70.0%), young (38.8% aged 23–30 years), and had less than five years of experience (38.8%). Most of them held positive perceptions, believing telerehabilitation improves patient care (92.5%). Key strengths identified were flexible timetables (70.0%) and easy access (67.5%). However, significant barriers were noted for pediatric and mentally handicapped populations (97.5%). The use of physical modalities showed a high use of self-administered modalities like cold packs (75.0%) and TENS (57.5%), and very limited use of equipment-dependent modalities like mechanical traction (3.8%). Significant associations were found between perspectives and age (p=0.030), gender (p=0.007), years of experience (p=0.020), level of education (p=0.002), and area of specialization (p=0.003). Conclusion: Physiotherapists in South-South Nigeria hold positive perceptions on using telerehabilitation for physical modalities. While they recognize its potential to improve access, significant ethical concerns exist. Targeted training and the development of national guidelines are recommended to support its broader implementation

The attainment of clinical competence is a pivotal requirement in radiography education, fundamentally relying on intensive supervision and tailored practical instruction. This investigation systematically assesses the detrimental influence exerted by elevated student-to-instructor ratios on the clinical proficiency developed by radiography students within the Nigerian context. Due to burgeoning institutional enrolments, juxtaposed with a scarcity of qualified clinical instructors, many students experience a demonstrable restriction in opportunities for essential hands-on training and individualized evaluative feedback. Employing a rigorous mixed-methods research design, which integrates quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with both students and faculty members across accredited radiography institutions, the study delineates critical operational challenges. The principal findings confirm major obstacles, including insufficient direct clinical supervision, curtailed practical exposure, and a resultant compromise in the acquisition of specialized skills. Consequently, the study advocates for strategic reforms encompassing the augmentation of instructor staffing, the implementation of highly structured clinical rotation protocols, and necessary policy adjustments. These measures are crucial for the amelioration of radiographic training standards and for guaranteeing the production of competent and workforce-ready practitioners in the future.

This study investigated the effect of Spondias mombin extract on selected haematological indices in a type 2 diabetic rat model. Diabetes induction produced notable hematological disturbances, characterized by reductions in haemoglobin concentration (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), and red blood cell (RBC) count relative to the normal control group. These declines reflect the oxidative and metabolic stress typically associated with chronic hyperglycaemia. Administration of Spondias mombin at doses of 200 mg and 400 mg produced a clear restorative effect on all parameters assessed. HGB and HCT values in the treated groups increased markedly approaching or surpassing normal baseline levels while RBC counts also improved substantially compared with the diabetic control. The magnitude of recovery observed was comparable to the positive control group, suggesting that S. mombin possesses potent hematoprotective activity. The observed effects are likely attributable to the plant’s rich phytochemical profile, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which collectively enhance erythrocyte stability, promote erythropoiesis, and counter oxidative stress. Overall, the findings indicate that Spondias mombin extract effectively mitigates diabetes-induced haematological alterations and may serve as a promising natural adjunct in the management of diabetic complications.

Background: Sports injuries were a major concern among amateur footballers, often leading to reduced performance, loss of participation time, and long-term complications. Effective injury prevention depended largely on athletes’ knowledge and attitudes toward preventive measures. However, limited research existed on these variables among amateur footballers in Nigerian universities, particularly within the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes towards injury prevention among amateur footballers in the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed involving 92 male and female amateur footballers aged 18 years and above from the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, UNIBEN. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using an adapted self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes towards injury prevention. Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ characteristics, while Chi-square tests and independent t-tests determined associations between sociodemographic variables, knowledge, and attitude levels at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Participants were predominantly male (63%) and aged 18–25 years (78.3%). The majority (58.7%) demonstrated fair knowledge of injury prevention, while 28.3% had good knowledge and 13.0% had poor knowledge. Most participants (71.7%) displayed positive attitudes towards injury prevention. There was no significant association between gender, department, or BMI and knowledge or attitude levels (p > 0.05), but years of experience showed a weak positive relationship with knowledge scores. Conclusion: Amateur footballers in UNIBEN generally exhibited fair knowledge and positive attitudes towards injury prevention, although certain misconceptions persisted. Targeted educational interventions and physiotherapist-led prevention programs are recommended to enhance injury prevention awareness and promote safer sporting practices among university footballers.

This study determined the precision of X-ray reporting in detecting lung abnormalities in children at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State. Lung diseases such as pneumonia remain major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries, making accurate and prompt diagnosis essential. A retrospective quantitative study design was used to analyze chest X-ray findings of children aged 0–18 years examined between May and December 2024. Data were collected using a structured checklist including age, gender, clinical indication, radiological findings, and confirmed diagnosis, and analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software. The results showed that pneumonia was the most common lung abnormality, followed by bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and tuberculosis. Most X-ray reports were accurately interpreted, though some errors were linked to poor image quality and varying levels of radiologist experience. Overall, X-ray reporting at UBTH was effective in detecting pediatric lung abnormalities. The study concludes that regular training, standardized reporting formats, and continuous quality assurance would further improve diagnostic accuracy and pediatric patient care.

Cola nitida, commonly known as kola nut, is widely recognized for its stimulant and medicinal properties. This study investigates the antioxidant potential of its ethanol extract, highlighting its significance as a natural source of bioactive compounds. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the onset of chronic diseases, thereby increasing the need for effective and safe antioxidants. Ethanol extraction, widely regarded for its ability to isolate phytochemicals, was utilized to obtain the active constituents of Cola nitida.
Through various invitro assays such as determination of DPPH radical scavenging ability, determination of the ferric-reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), determination of Fe chelating ability, determination of hydroxyl radical (OH•2+) scavenging ability and
determination of nitric oxide (NO•) scavenging ability with quercetin as the control. Theresult disclosed DPPH radical scavenging capacity of the extract (EC₅₀ = 0.539 ± 0.010mg/mL) was lower than that of Quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.453 ± 0.010 mg/mL). Similarly, the Fe²⁺chelating ability (EC₅₀ = 0.162 ± 0.010 mg/mL) and nitric oxide scavenging activity (EC₅₀ =0.107 ± 0.05 mg/mL) were slightly lower than those of Quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.147 ± 0.009mg/mL and EC₅₀ = 0.103 ± 0.05 mg/mL, respectively). The FRAP assay indicated nonsignificant difference between the extract and the control. However, the extract demonstrated significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀ = 0.062 ± 0.008 mg/mL), which was more potent than quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.086 ± 0.009 mg/mL) The ethanol extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging properties and lipid peroxidation inhibition, demonstrating its potential in combating oxidative stress. This research highlights Cola nitida as a promising natural antioxidant source with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods.

Cissus populnea has been reported to have high antioxidant content which is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects aqueous extract of Cissus pulpolnae on the liver of Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks under standard laboratory conditions (temperature 24-28°C and 12 hour light-dark cycle) before commencement of the experiment. The rats in each group were allowed access to standard rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rats were randomly assigned into a control group and three treatment groups (5) rats each. The rats in Group A served as control and received feed and water ad libitum only. The treatment groups B received intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4 only; group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea only; group D received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea and intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4. The experimental period lasted for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected, in plain bottles, from the Inferior vena cava of each rat for biochemical assay. The liver was excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalsaline for routine histological processing. The data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Significant difference in the means of all parameters was determined using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; 95% confidence interval). The result obtained showed that CCL4 induced some pathologies on the liver tissue ranging from formation of lipid vacuoles (steatosis) to degeneration of the hepatocyte and obliteration of the sinusoids. Cissus populnea ameliorated the pathologies induced by CCL4 on the liver tissue. It is concluded however that Cissus populnea possess hepatoprotective potential against CCL4 insult.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre is a medicinal plant widely used across West Africa for the treatment of various ailments, yet the chemical constituents responsible for many of its reported therapeutic effects remain underexplored in scientific literature. This study aimed to identify the major fatty acids and ester compounds present in the aqueous stem extract of S. jollyanum using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), with the goal of contributing to phytochemical profiling and supporting the plant’s ethnomedicinal applications. Fresh stems were cleaned, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted by cold maceration. The resulting filtrates were freeze-dried and the crude aqueous extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis under optimized chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions. The GC-MS scan revealed a spectrum of bioactive constituents including compounds known for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory activities. This study provides scientific support for the medicinal uses of S. jollyanum and establish a biochemical basis for its reported bioactivities. It further highlights the importance of GC-MS as a robust analytical tool for identifying volatile and semi-volatile compounds in medicinal plant extracts. Overall, the results strengthen the pharmacognostic understanding of S. jollyanum and lay groundwork for future studies on its biological mechanisms, safety, and potential drug development applications.