MARIA A. AGHAHOWA

In the digital era, university students are increasingly exposed to high levels of online engagement through academic platforms, social media, and entertainment, leading to a phenomenon known as digital overload. This study examined the relationship between digital overload, mental health (depression), and academic burnout among pharmacy students at the University of Benin, Nigeria, and explored how these factors influence academic performance. OBJECTIVES: To assess th prevelance of digital overload among pharmacy students in UNIBEN. To measure the degree of academic burnout (emotional exhaustion and academic inefficacy)
among the respondents. To examine the relationship between digital overload and mental health on academic burnout. To assess the extent to which digital overload and academic burnout affect students academic performance. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, with data collected from 334 pharmacy students across all levels using a structured questionnaire comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA tests

BACKGROUND: In the digital era, university students are increasingly exposed to high levels of online
engagement through academic platforms, social media, and entertainment, leading to a phenomenon known as digital overload. This study examined the relationship between digital overload, mental health (depression), and academic burnout among pharmacy students at the University of Benin, Nigeria, and explored how these factors influence academic performance. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of digital overload among pharmacy students in UNIBEN. To measure the degree of academic burnout (emotional exhaustion and academic inefficacy) among the respondents. To examine the relationship between digital overload and mental health on academic burnout. To assess the extent to which digital overload and academic burnout affect students academic performance. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, with data collected from 334 pharmacy students across all levels using a structured questionnaire comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA tests.

Medication errors remain a major worldwide concern within healthcare systems, as they are strongly linked to adverse drug events (ADEs), extended hospitalisation, increased financial burden, and worsened patient outcomes. In Nigeria, such errors are particularly common, with research showing discrepancy rates of 40–60% during patient admission and discharge. These inconsistencies lead to ADEs in about 10–20% of cases and contribute to avoidable readmissions and even death. This study was conducted to assess how a pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation service influences the frequency and seriousness of medication errors during patient
transitions at UBTH. A total of 348 patients participated and were assigned to either an intervention group (which received pharmacist-led reconciliation) or a control group (which received routine
care). The demographic variables reviewed included age, gender, educational background, marital status, and length of hospital stay. Participants were fairly evenly distributed across both groups,
allowing for reliable comparison. Most respondents were between 31 and 45 years old (39.7%), with females making up 54%. Approximately two-thirds of the participants had either secondary
or tertiary education, while 56.6% were married. Nearly half (49.7%) had been hospitalised for fewer than five days. The study further compared the incidence of medication errors documented
in medication charts and discharge summaries between the two groups. The findings showed a striking difference: only 24 individuals (13.7%) in the intervention group experienced medication
errors, compared with 116 individuals (67.1%) in the control group. In fact, 86.3% of the intervention group had no errors at all, demonstrating the clear benefits of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation. With a p-value of p < 0.001, the null hypothesis—which proposed that there would be no significant difference in error rates between both groups—is rejected. This confirms a statistically significant reduction in medication errors among patients who received pharmacist-driven reconciliation. In conclusion, the results strongly indicate that pharmacist-led medication reconciliation greatly minimizes medication errors in the clinical setting. Patients
exposed to this structured intervention experienced far fewer discrepancies than those receiving standard care. The types of errors reduced included omissions, duplications, wrong dosages, incorrect frequency of administration, potential drug interactions, and documentation mistakes all of which are known contributors to ADEs and negative patient outcomes. The study also acknowledges its limitations and offers relevant recommendations.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a glucose intolerance disorder first recognized during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as preeclampsia, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. The global burden of GDM is rising, including in Nigeria, yet screening remains inadequate in many primary healthcare (PHC) settings. Objective: This study assessed the risk status and associated factors of GDM among pregnant women attending PHC centers in Egor and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at selected PHC facilities were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on demographic, obstetric, and lifestyle factors, alongside a nine-item GDM risk assessment tool. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency testing (Cronbach’s alpha) were used for analysis. Results: Most respondents were aged 26–35 years. Based on the risk assessment tool, 74.7% were low risk, 22.4% moderate risk, and 2.9% high risk for GDM. Significant predictors included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, family history of diabetes or hypertension, and previous obstetric complications. Sociodemographic factors such as marital status, education, and occupation were not significantly associated. Regular exercise and healthy diets were linked to lower GDM risk. The risk assessment tool showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.702). Conclusion: Early identification of at-risk women through effective screening and timely antenatal care can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Integrating GDM risk assessment, counseling, and lifestyle education into PHC services is strongly recommended