SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

Viruses of the Herpetoviridae family infect 90% of the earth’s population. Humans are the hosts of at least nine unique herpes viruses. This study is aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of type specific Herpes simplex virus infection and the associated risk factors in a cross-section of asymptomatic healthy women of childbearing age in Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 330 subject of 15 - 49 years were recruited from various local government areas of the three Senatorial districts of Kogi State. Blood samples were collected from participants and analyzed for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibodies quantitatively with IgG Type-Specific ELISA kit. In this research, the overall prevalence of HSV infection was 76.7%. Data further showed that majority (96.4%) of the population studied had HSV-1, while 77% had HSV-2 infections. Results also showed that the young adults age 15-25 years indicated prevalence of 93.7% for HSV-1 and 74.4% for HSV-2, while in the middle aged 26-35 years, the prevalence were 100% for HSV-1, and 78.4% for HSV-2. In the age group of 36-45 years the prevalence for HSV-1 and HSV-2 were 98.2% and 82.5% respectfully Among the married women the prevalence was 99.2% for HSV-1, while that of HSV-2 was 86.9% . For the unmarried women the prevalence was 94.5% for HSV-1, and 70.5% for HSV-2. The risk of HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections was not associated with age, age of first sexual exposure and number sex partners before marriage. Married women were at greater risk for HSV-1 (p = 0.03) and HSV-2 (p ≤ 0.001) infections compared to the unmarried women. The prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 among educated subject were 96.2% and 79.9% respectfully while that of uneducated were 66.7% and 75%.The prevalence of HSV-1 and HV-2 among subject who had sexual intercourse below 15 years of age were 100% and 78.9% respectfully while those who had above 15 years of age were 98.4% for HSV-1 and 80.7% for HSV-2. The prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 according to number of sexual partner before marriage were 100% for four partners, for three partners the prevalence was 100% and 83.3% respectfully. For two partners the prevalence for HSV-1 and 2 were 100% and 75% while that of one partner were 99% and 78.6% respectively. There were no significant difference (p=0.611) between the CD4 counts of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected women and that of uninfected women. In conclusion, the prevalence of the HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections was high among asymptomatic healthy women of childbearing age in Kogi State, Nigeria. Efforts should be made to increase the awareness of HSV infection among women of child bearing populace.

Background: Inappropriate use of analgesics is becoming a serious public health problem in many
parts of the world with a number of factors contributing to this problem including unrestricted
access to drugs. Aim: To assess the pattern of analgesic use among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor L.G.A. Benin City, Edo State in order to contribute evidence for interventions/measures to curtail inappropriate practices.Methodology: This study was carried out among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. A mixed method was employed-The quantitative part of the study
was Cross Sectional in nature to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of analgesic use
while Focused Group Discussions was used to validate findings. Results: Three hundred and seventeen respondents were enrolled into the study. Knowledge of analgesic was good in 43.2% of respondents. Secondary level of education showed to be a strong predictor of positive knowledge of analgesic use. Up to 57.4 % had a poor attitude to analgesic use while 30.3 % and 12.3 % had good and fair attitude respectively. Apprentices had a significantly more positive attitude and good knowledge of analgesics was a strong predictor of good attitude towards analgesic use. There was a high (84.2%) occurrence of self-prescription and the commonest indications for self-prescription were body pain and headaches with paracetamol being the most common analgesic taken by self-prescription. Inappropriate dosing was observed in 77.9 % and their main sources were pharmacies and chemists. This study showed various forms of misuse, adverse effects and features of addition and dependence were also reported. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of analgesics is still a problem in Egor L.G.A of Edo State and Health education will go a long way to address this problem. Key words: Analgesic, Misuse, Abuse, Motor Mechanics

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare delivery, particularly for improving logistics in resourcelimited settings. Despite their potential to address delays caused by poor infrastructure and traffic congestion, their successful implementation depends largely on the awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of healthcare workers. This study therefore aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of drone use in medical facilities among hospital staff in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted, involving one hundred and fifty-three (153) hospital staff comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, logistics personnel, and administrators at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Data were collected using a structured 23-item questionnaire covering demographics, awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of drone use in healthcare. Responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with Chi-square tests applied at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that 65.1% of respondents had heard of drones being used in healthcare, and 65.8% were aware of their application in delivering medical supplies. However, only 9.9% had practical exposure by visiting a facility where drones were in use. A large majority (93.4%) believed that drones could improve the delivery of medical supplies in hospitals, and 73.0% supported their use for rural healthcare delivery. Furthermore, 53.3% expressed high willingness and 32.2% moderate willingness to receive training in drone technology. Despite this positive outlook, knowledge gaps were observed, as 59.8% of participants could not correctly define UAV. In conclusion, this study revealed moderate awareness but limited knowledge of drone applications in healthcare among hospital staff in Benin City. Although exposure to real-life drone operations was low, the strong willingness to receive training highlights an opportunity to promote adoption. These findings underscore the need for targeted training, policy support, and pilot projects to bridge knowledge gaps and harness drone technology for healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a major public health concern, particularly among immunocompromised populations such as individuals with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients are at increased risk of opportunistic infections due to impaired immune response, making parasitological investigations important in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among diabetic patients attending the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 diabetic patients who consented to participate. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical history, hygiene practices, and lifestyle habits were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and examined microscopically for intestinal parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and associations between variables were assessed using chi-square tests at a significance level of (p < 0.05). Of the 156 respondents, the majority were married (70.5%), within the age range of 60– 75 years, and more males were represented. Most respondents had primary or secondary education, resided in urban areas, and used water closet toilets. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 54.5%. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and ntamoeba coli were the most frequently detected parasites, while Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis were least observed. Significant associations were found between infection status and variables such as educational level and sanitation practices (p < 0.05). This research revealed that intestinal parasites are still prevalent among diabetic patients, particularly those with lower
educational attainment and poor sanitation habits. Strengthening routine parasitological screening, health education, and improved hygiene practices is recommended to reduce the burden of intestinal parasites in this vulnerable group

Diabetes mellitus is intrinsically linked to a pro-thrombotic state, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. This study investigated the potential anticoagulant activity of the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida using the Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin (PTTK) assay in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Rats were categorized into the Diabetic Control (G1, 21.50±0.50 s) and three treatment groups receiving 200 mg/kg b.w. (G5), 400 mg/kg b.w. (G3), and 500 mg/kg b.w. (G6) of the extract. PTTK values were measured and expressed as Mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). Data were analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s Post Hoc Test, with significance accepted at P<0.05. Treatment with P. nitida resulted in a significant prolongation of PTTK compared to the diabetic control. The maximum anticoagulant effect was observed in the Mid-High dose (400 mg/kg b.w.) group (G3), which recorded the highest mean PTTK of 23.00±3.00 seconds. A non-linear dose-response was identified, as the highest dose (500 mg/kg b.w., G6) yielded 21.50±0.50 seconds, matching the diabetic control and demonstrating reduced efficacy compared to the mid-high dose. These findings confirm that the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida possesses significant anticoagulant potential by modulating
the intrinsic coagulation pathway. The optimal therapeutic window was identified at 400 mg/kg b.w., supporting the extract’s potential as a natural antithrombotic agent to mitigate cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Elu), a plant widely employed in traditional medicine to manage infections, inflammation, and mental disorders, remains underexplored in terms of its non-polar chemical constituents. In this study, Leaves of Lonchocarpus cyanescens were collected, processed and extracted with ethanol, after which their non-polar constituents were isolated using n-hexane. Analysis of this fraction by GC– MS enabled the identification of several lipophilic metabolites using the NIST14 spectral library, with match qualities ≥90%. Nineteen compounds were detected, predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenes, fatty acid methyl esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and glycerides. The most abundant compounds were 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (33.50%), 1-ethyl-2- methylbenzene (6.63%), o-cymene (6.42%), and 1,3-dioctanoin (6.23%). These constituents are known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and membrane-active properties, suggesting that the hexane fraction may contribute to the plant’s reported ethnomedicinal effects. The prevalence of volatile and lipophilic compounds also underscores the effectiveness of hexane in selectively extracting nonpolar metabolites. This study provides a detailed GC–MS profile of the n-hexane fraction of L. cyanescens, thereby expanding existing phytochemical knowledge and laying a foundation for
future isolation, characterization, and pharmacological investigations

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of pain, disability, and
reduced quality of life worldwide. Despite evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity (PA) in managing KOA, many patients remain inactive. Identifying predictors of PA among this population is essential for developing tailored interventions.
Aim: This study investigated the predictors of physical activity levels among patients with knee osteoarthritis attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 participants diagnosed with KOA. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected on socio-demographic (age, sex, education), clinical (pain severity, duration of symptoms, comorbidities), and psychological variables (kinesiophobia, anxiety, depression). Instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, including Chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: About half of the respondents (50%) had moderate PA, while smaller
proportions had low (11.1%) or high (38.9%) PA levels. Most patients reported high kinesiophobia, and mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety showed a significant association with PA (P < 0.001), whereas socio-demographic, clinical, and other psychological factors were not significantly related. Regression analysis showed that none of the variables independently predicted PA levels.
Conclusion: Most patients with KOA were moderately active despite reporting high levels of kinesiophobia. Anxiety was related to PA but was not an independent predictor. Overall, PA appears to be influenced by multiple interacting factors, highlighting the need for holistic management strategies that address both physical and psychological aspects.