Public health

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among children under ten years of age who are highly susceptible to infection. This study analyzed secondary malaria testing data from two primary health centres which are Ebelle Primary Healthcare Centre and Eguare Primary Healthcare Centre in Igueben Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State,
covering the period January 2024 to April 2025. The objectives were to determine the total number of children under ten recorded as tested, the total number recorded positive, the monthly prevalence rates, and to identify seasonal trends in malaria transmission. Data were extracted from facility registers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, with prevalence computed as (number positive ÷ number tested) × 100. Across both health centres, a total of 647 children under ten were recorded as tested, of which 517 (79.9%) tested positive for malaria parasites. At the facility level, Ebelle PHC recorded a prevalence of 73.3%, while Eguare PHC recorded 85.6%. Monthly prevalence varied between 56% and 100%, with the highest values recorded in March and April 2024 (Ebelle PHC) and June 2024 and March 2025 (Eguare PHC), corresponding to periods of intense rainfall and increased mosquito breeding. Both facilities showed sustained high transmission during the rainy and dry seasons, ndicating year-round endemicity. The findings demonstrate that malaria remains highly prevalent among children under ten in Igueben LGA. Strengthening preventive strategies such as consistent use of insecticide-treated nets, improved community awareness, environmental management to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and continuous surveillance at health facilities are recommended to reduce malaria burden in the area.

Public health and illness prevention depend on having access to clean drinking water and practicing good hygiene. To determine their effects on community health, the Upper Mission community in Benin City's water quality and cleanliness practices were examined. One hundred households chosen by multistage sampling were included in the community-based cross-sectional design. To investigate water sources, storage procedures, treatment techniques, and hygiene practices, structured questionnaires were given out. Additionally, physicochemical and microbiological analyses were performed on 30 drinking water samples obtained from river sources, sachet water, and boreholes. 89% of households have access to water within 100 meters of their homes, with sachet water (52%) and borehole water (41%) serving as the main sources of drinking water. There is a significant gap between accessibility and safety practices, as 80% of individuals did not purify the water before drinking it. With pH values ranging from 4.6 to 8.0, total dissolved solids between 24 and 136 milligrams per liter, and electrical conductivity between 44 and 219 microsiemens per centimeter, the physicochemical parameters mostly satisfied WHO requirements. River water had the highest
contamination (mean: 202.4×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter), followed by borehole water (79.7×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) and sachet water (43.2×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter), according to microbiological analysis, which found
heterotrophic bacterial counts ranging from 26×10⁰ to 235×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter). River water (mean: 42.6×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) and some borehole samples (mean: 24.9×10⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter) had total coliforms, but sachet water did not. Only one sample of river water had Escherichia coli. Although the infrastructure is good, there are notable shortcomings in environmental hygiene, handwashing with soap (34%), and water treatment, with 38% of residences located close to waste disposal sites. There is an immediate need for improved waste management systems, borehole maintenance, targeted health education initiatives, and increased water quality monitoring

The siting of filling stations in urban areas, such as Benin City Metropolis, involves complex risk and uncertainty analyses due to the interplay of environmental, socioeconomic, and regulatory factors. This study examines the challenges associated with locating filling stations in Benin City, focusing on the risks posed by improper siting, including environmental pollution, fire hazards, traffic congestion, and public health concerns. The analysis incorporates Geo-spatial data, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder inputs to identify uncertainties related to land use, population density, and compliance with safety standards. A multi-criteria decision-making approach is employed to evaluate potential sites, balancing economic benefits against environmental and social risks. The findings highlight the need for robust urban planning policies, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and community engagement to mitigate risks and uncertainties. This study provides a framework for sustainable siting of filling stations in rapidly urbanizing areas, offering insights for policymakers, urban planners, and industry stakeholders in Benin City and similar contexts.