Owie Ukponahiusi

This study explores the level of knowledge and awareness of social work practice among students of the University of Benin. Social work, as a professional field, plays a vital rolein promoting human well-being, advocating for social justice, and enhancing the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. Despite its growing significance in contemporary society, social work remains a misunderstood and under appreciated discipline, particularly among university students who are expected to be future change agents. The research assessed the extent to which students from various faculties and departments understand the goals, principles, and practical applications of social work. It also investigates factors that influence awareness levels, such as faculty of study, exposure to social work education, and participation in social intervention programs. The methodology adopted for this study is a quantitative survey research design, aimed at
collecting numerical data that can be statistically analyzed. A structured questionnaire was developed and distributed to a stratified random sample of 500 undergraduate students across different faculties within the University of Benin. The questionnaire contained both closed and open-ended questions designed to measure students' awareness, understanding, and perceptions of social work as a discipline and profession. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency tables and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square tests) to determine the relationship between students' demographic variables and their level of awareness. The findings revealed significant gaps in knowledge about social work practice among students, with recommendations geared toward improving social work visibility and integration into general university curricula. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for greater advocacy and educational campaigns to raise awareness and promote the relevance of social work in national development, especially in higher education institutions such as the University of Benin
social work in national development, especially in higher education institutions suchasthe University of Benin

This study examined the socio-cultural determinants of mental health among youth in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire as the primary instrument for data collection. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to youths residing in different parts of Benin City, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequency distributions and percentages. The findings revealed that mental health challenges among youth in Benin City stem from multiple causes, including poverty, unemployment, family pressure, academic stress, and substance abuse. Furthermore, socio-cultural beliefs, stigma, and traditional perceptions of mental illness were identified as major factors influencing attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking behaviour. The study also found that social support systems remain weak, and limited access to affordable mental health care continues to worsen the problem. Social workers were observed to play a crucial role in the rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration of youth experiencing mental health issues, although their efforts are often constrained by inadequate resources and institutional support. The study concluded that mental health among youth in Benin City is largely shaped by socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors, which collectively determine the perception, experience, and management of mental illness. It therefore recommends that government agencies, community leaders, and social work practitioners intensify mental health education, challenge harmful cultural stereotypes, and expand youth-friendly mental health services. Strengthening social work practice and promoting community-based interventions were also emphasized as vital strategies for improving mental health outcomes among youths in Benin City.

The study assessed the impact of the community based mental health programme on youths development in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The population of the study comprised four hundred (400) respondents who are youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years who have lived in Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research method/design used for the study was survey research. The data collected from the respondents were used for data analysis through simple descriptive statistics namely, simple percentage, frequency count and mean rating. The findings of the research concluded that there are many factors that contribute to the incidence of mental health challenges among youths of Ekosodin community such as peer pressure, substance abuse, unemployment, financial problems, family challenges, lack of parental guidance etc. The community based mental health programme has a significant impact on youth development in Ekosodin community, Benin City. There are many limitations to the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin Community such as lack of financing to sustain mental health programming, stigma and discrimination and lack of community awareness which impairs the effectiveness of the community based mental health programme. Social workers play a significant role in the successful implementation and effectiveness of mental health programming by helping to ascertain who needs special programmes, joining forces with other professionals in the implementation of mental health programming, bridging the gap between the community and mental health service providers and increasing effectiveness and sustainability of community based mental health programmes. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the government and other stakeholders increase funding and material resources for the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin. Increased financial resources will support what is currently being done, allow for trained professionals to be hired, and create modern counselling and therapy spaces for the youths

The study examined the effect of rehabilitation programmes on prison inmates. The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of correction institutions in the rehabilitation of female inmates in Benin City. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 60 female inmates in both Oko Prison and Benin Prison. It was discovered that the rehabilitation programmes were not very successful due to lack of fund, inadequacy of rehabilitation equipment, lack of trained personnel, lack of manpower and poor management of rehabilitation programmes among others. The findings show that prisons have not successfully achieved their objective according to the Nigerian Prison Act of (2001) which is to reform and rehabilitate offenders to be good and useful citizens. Therefore, rehabilitation programmes in the prisons are not as effective as expected. Based on the findings of the research, it was recommended that the prison authority should provide earning schemes to female inmates to enhance their
effective reintegration and rehabilitation into the society; rehabilitation programmes should not be left in the hands of prison officials alone. Social workers, NGOs and others should be fully involved in rehabilitation of inmates, government should consider a form of compulsory savings scheme for convicts involved in prison work. A matching grant or a percentage of the amount saved should be given to a prisoner when due for release. This will assist in resettlement of the ex-convicts with the skills acquired while in prison amongst other things.