t.a. egbon

This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and perception of the effects of deforestation among rural dwellers in Ekosodin Community, Benin City, Edo State. The study sought to determine the level of knowledge of residents regarding deforestation, ascertain the perceived causes and consequences of deforestation, and investigate rural residents' perceptions of environmental degradation brought on by deforestation. Three research questions were developed to guide the investigation and relevant literatures related to deforestation were clearly discussed. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 10,150 residents of Ekosodin Community. A sample size of 255 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a self- structured questionnaire titled 'Questionnaire on the Knowledge and Perception of the Effects of Deforestation among Residents of Ekosodin Community'. The project supervisor and experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education validated the instrument. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability method was used to determine the instrument's reliability. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze the data, and chi-square statistics were employed to test the hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that the majority of rural dwellers in Ekosodin Community possessed high knowledge of deforestation and were aware of its causes and environmental consequences. The respondents identified agricultural activities, indiscriminate tree felling, urban expansion, construction activities, fuelwood harvesting, and industrial development as major causes of deforestation in the community. Based on the findings, the study concludes that even though rural residents of Ekosodin Community are well-informed about deforestation and its consequences, ongoing environmental awareness campaigns and community involvement in forest conservation initiatives are still necessary. The study recommends that government agencies, environmental organizations, and community leaders intensify public education campaigns about the risks of deforestation, enforce environmental protection laws, support sustainable land-use practices, encourage tree planting programmes, and promote alternative energy sources to ensure environmental sustainability and ecological balance in the community.

The purpose of the study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate students towards family planning in the University of Benin. To achieve the purpose of the study, three (3) research questions and one hypothesis were raised and important literature related to family planning were clearly discussed.The descriptive survey research design was used for this study and the population consisted of all enrolled undergraduate students in the University of Benin, Benin City,Edo State during the 2024/2025 session, with an estimated undergraduate population of 41,404 students (19,779 females and 21,625 males). A Multi stage sampling procedure was adopted for this study, to select one hundred and ninety (190) students from five faculties. The instrument used for data collection was a well-structured close-ended questionnaire with twenty (20) items. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The Cronbach alpha method was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of one hundred and ninety (190) questionnaires were administered to the sample and data collected was analyzed using frequency count and percentage while Chi Square was used to test the hypothesis ofthe study.Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that undergraduate students in the University of Benin are well informed about family planning and hold predominantly positive attitudes toward it. The statistically significant relationship established between knowledge and attitudes further confirms that greater knowledge of family planning is associated with more favourable attitudinal disposition among undergraduates it was therefore recommended that University health authorities should sustain and expand existing reproductive health education programmes to consolidate and deepen the high levels of family planning knowledge already recorded among undergraduate students,ensuring that information remains current, accurate, and accessible across all faculties,Campus health centres should build on the positive attitudinal climate identified in this study by creating platforms that encourage open dialogue around family planning,including peer education sessions, health fairs, and counselling services that address misconceptions and reinforce favourable attitudes. And also, policymakers and health educators should design evidence-based interventions that prioritize knowledge enhancement as a strategy for sustaining positive attitudes toward family planning.

Solid waste management remains a pressing concern in developing nations, especially within Nigerian universities where high population densities and inadequate waste infrastructure worsen the problem. The University of Benin, as a micro-community, generates various wastes including plastics, food remnants, and hazardous materials. While students often have knowledge of the dangers of improper waste disposal, many still engage in practices such as littering, open dumping, and burning. This knowledge–practice gap is influenced by peer behavior, poor enforcement of regulations, and insufficient awareness programs. The literature review provided a conceptual and theoretical basis for the study, drawing on frameworks such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice model, and the Value- Belief-Norm theory to explain waste management behaviors. It also examined the concept of solid waste, types and sources, implications of improper disposal, student practices, and relevant policies and regulations in Nigeria. The review emphasized that while students may possess awareness, factors such as inadequate facilities, weak institutional support, and social norms hinder effective practice