FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study looked at how lifestyle intervention Programmes in the health sector affected healthcare spending in the Edo State Government. There were three (3) key goals and research questions for the study. The study used a descriptive survey research approach, in which information from the participants in the study was gathered through questionnaires. Two hundred and twenty (220) Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Dieticians, Clinical Psychologists, Dentists and Others were chosen at random from four (4) Local Government Areas in the Nigerian state of Edo. The mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to examine the data collected from the respondents. The study's findings showed that the respondents' opinions on lifestyle intervention Programmes in Edo State are favorable, particularly in terms of education, public awareness, and frequent health checkups. There are still certain areas that could use improvement, such as the availability of tools for stress reduction, weight management, physical activity programs, and smoking cessation. The results also paint a hazy image of the efficacy of lifestyle intervention Programmes in addressing risk factors in the Edo State healthcare system. The findings show that lifestyle intervention programmes in Edo State have shown promising results in reducing some aspects of healthcare costs, particularly related to NCDs, medical equipment, and over-tasking of healthcare facilities. However, there are areas where their impact might be limited, such as chronic disease prevalence and pharmaceutical costs. Therefore, it was advised that the government and interested parties in the health sector should reinforce and extend current lifestyle intervention Programmes. Government, health sector authorities and policy makers should focus on targeted areas where the programmes showed limited effectiveness, such as stress management and pharmaceutical costs, which should be targeted for improvement.

Nigeria has no functional national policy on the care and welfare of older persons. Changing demographics in Nigeria, in addition to the breakdown of the family structure and absence of a social security system, present unique challenges to the elderly in Nigeria. This paper analyzes the current policy lacuna and future issues concerning older persons in Nigeria. It posits that the introduction of neoliberal economic policies created a vacuum in policy formulation and execution in which the older persons are not provided for within the social safety nets in the neoliberal state. This exploratory, qualitative study is based on interviews and
narratives of interviews with government officials. The findings of the study show that, in the face of rapid demographic change, one of the major challenges facing Nigeria is developing policies and appointing personnel capable of understanding and responding to the current social priorities and complex needs of an increasingly ageing population in the country. Furthermore, the findings of this study shows that modernization has brought a lot of changes in ageing population in Nigeria. The more modernized a society becomes the more the status of the other declines. The extended family no longer care for aged parents at home because of modernization. Based on the findings, the study provides recommendations that may assist the government to table policies that will promote the well-being of the elderly in Nigeria

The study sets out to investigate the psychological effects of single parenting on children. It examined the causes of single parenting and social work interventions to ameliorate the living standards of children who have been affected negatively. Existing literature on single parenting and it's psychological effects on children are mostly linked to the

individualistic perception of a phenomenon without considering the outcome and psychological, and social imbalance in children. A structured questionnaire was
administered in the secondary school in the Olomoro community based on access to road and the population available in the area. The sample size of the study consisted of 218 students through stratified proportionate sampling technique. Evidence from the findings shows that single parents and their children are faced with economic, emotional, social, and psychological problems, which makes it difficult to meet basic needs and personal expenses. Recommendations were made based on the findings which can have a positive ripple effect on not only the single parents but the children, society, and the nation at large.

This study investigated the impact of government size on economic growth in Nigeria. The research investigated various variables, including government expenditure, population growth, inflation, and exchange rates, to unravel their impact on the country's economic development. The analysis begins by examining the role of government size, proxied by Total Government Expenditure (TGEX), in shaping economic growth dynamics. The findings reveal a significant and positive relationship between government expenditure and economic growth, emphasizing the pivotal role of fiscal policies in Nigeria's development. These results underscore the importance of prudent fiscal management and the strategic allocation of public resources as crucial drivers of economic growth. Furthermore, the study highlights the demographic dividend inherent in Nigeria's youthful population. Population growth, represented by the population growth rate (POP), emerges as a substantial driver of economic expansion, particularly in the long run. Policymakers are encouraged to focus on investments in education, skills development, and job creation programs that cater to the unique needs of the youthful population, recognizing their potential as contributors to sustained economic growth. Conversely, the analysis suggests that the relationships between inflation (INF) and exchange rates (EXR) with economic growth are less robust within the specific models employed. Nevertheless, the study underscores that these variables continue to exert significant influence over economic dynamics, necessitating effective inflation management and exchange rate stability for overall economic stability.

The Development of a standard and comparable educational system has played a major role in the growth and development of most countries, both advanced and developing. Some ofthe major sources offund to this sector has remainedgovernment expenditure andforeign aid. Hence this research work employs secondary data covering the period of 1980 to 2019 to examine the nexus among government expenditure, foreign aid and educational growth in Nigeria. Variables employed includes Literacy rate (LRT),Government Expenditure (GEX), Foreign Aid and other development assistance (FRA) and Real Gross Domestic Product per Capita growth rate (RGDPPC). Data on the relevant variables were obtainedfrom the Central Bank ofNigeria (CBN) statistical Bulletin (2019) and the World Bank's World Development Indicators (WDI, 2019). The work employed the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test for Unit Root and the Johansen Co-integration techniquefor thepossibility oflong run relationship. An empirical model was estimated using the Error Correction Model (ECM) of regression analysis. The results indicated that government expenditure, foreign aid and real GDP per capita shares a positive and significant relationship with Literacy rate in Nigeria. The concluded that the educational system can be reasonably improved if attention is paid to these important variables. Hence, it was recommended among others that the government should increase budgetary allocation to the education sector, attention should be paid to capital projects, appropriate diplomatic policies to attract more foreign aid, checks to prevent the mismanagement appropriated funds.

Depression among teenage mothers has emerged as a significant public health concern globally. This study investigates the Prevalence and Associated factors of Depression among Teenage Mothers in Benin Metropolis of Edo State Nigeria. The study adopted Multi stage sampling technique while primary data collection was used to obtain data from the respondents. Data gathered was subjected to Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient which was used to establish the study feasibility. 500 female participants aged between 13 to 19 years were purposely selected with a structured questionnaire. Ambiguity in the instruments
was eliminated. The data collected was analyzed and presented in percentages and tables. Results revealed that there is high degree of depression among teenage mothers in Benin metropolis and identifies lack of social support, stigma, and economic dependence as predictors of depression, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address the mental health needs of teenage mothers in Benin metropolis. The study recommends that to address depression among teenage mothers, accessible and affordable mental health services, including counseling and therapy, should be provided within existing healthcare facilities. Routine screening for depression during antenatal and postnatal care can help identify those in need of further support. Peer support groups, education on family planning and parenting, and social support networks can empower teenage mothers and enhance their self-esteem. Childcare support and community-based initiatives can also promote socialization and reduce isolation. Ultimately, policy reforms are necessary to address the unique needs of teenage mothers and ensure they have access to education, healthcare, and social services. Keywords: depression, teenage mothers, social support, post-natal, interventions, child care, support group.

Crime appears to be a permanent feature of modern society (Shehu, 2014). Despite efforts of criminologist, law enforcement agency, personal and criminal justice professionals to minimise it, the world is becoming a more terrible place. Where crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, robbery, assault, sex offences, child molestation, burglary, environmental crime, arson (crimes without a victim), economic crime, political crime and cybercrime are the order of the day (Igba, Chimezie, Aja, Nnamani, Ogodo, 2018). Crime appears to be a permanent feature of modern society. Despite efforts of social workers, law enforcement agency, personal and criminal justice professionals to minimise it, the world is becoming a more terrible place. Where crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, robbery, assault, sex offences, child molestation, burglary, environmental crime, arson are crimes without a victim, economic crime, political crime and cybercrime are the order of the day

This study examined female students’ perception on the use of contraceptives among residents in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The research was guided by four objectives and employed a descriptive survey design. The study population consisted of 150 students residing within the community. Data were collected using a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that while a majority of the respondents were aware of various contraceptive methods, their actual usage was relatively low due to factors such as fear of side effects, cultural and religious beliefs, and inadequate access to reproductive health information. Many respondents associated contraceptive use with promiscuity, indicating that misconceptions and social stigma still influence attitudes toward family planning among young women. The study also found that students who had received proper sexual education demonstrated more positive perceptions and were more likely to use contraceptives responsibly. The study concludes that despite high awareness levels, there remains a significant gap between knowledge and practice of contraceptive use among female students. It recommends intensified reproductive health education, increased access to youth-friendly health services, and community sensitization programs aimed at dispelling myths and promoting safe, informed contraceptive choices among young women.

This study examines the impact of monetary policy on international trade in Nigeria using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. The study employs key monetary policy indicators, including broad money supply, interest rate, inflation rate, exchange rate, and gross domestic product (GDP), to assess their effects on trade openness in Nigeria from 1981 to 2023. The Engle-Granger two-step cointegration test is applied to determine the long-run relationship between monetary policy variables and trade openness. The findings reveal that in the long run, interest rates and GDP have significant positive effects on trade openness, while money supply negatively impacts trade openness. Exchange rate fluctuations

This study comparatively explores the Federal Government Policy on Privatization and Commercialization in Nigeria: Benin Electricity. Four well-structured research question were formulated and twelve questions were administered to the respondent to collect response from them, the population of the study include staff of the Benin Electricity
Distribution Company (BEDC). To conduct the study, a total of 80 respondents were drawn. The respondents were chosen using the simple random sampling techniques. Findings shows that privatization of public enterprises will enhance efficiency and effectiveness, thereby leading to higher productivity in the public sector. Thus, it was recommended that the programme has to be properly implemented with greater and sustained political will and commitment and also privatization and commercialization programme will only be successful if it is executed with all sense of transparency, honesty, fair play, accountability and a high degree of professionalism.