A. I. OBI

Background: Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among undergraduate students constitutes a significant public health challenge, associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unintended pregnancies. The transition to university life, characterised by newfound autonomy and peer influence, creates vulnerability to risky sexual practices. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and factors influencing risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 635 undergraduate students selected from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using a pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected by a multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. Knowledge was assessed using 34 variables across 10 questions, attitudes using a 5- point Likert scale, and prevalence using lifetime and 12-month recall periods. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.39 ± 2.71 years. Slightly over half (53.9%) were male, and the majority (98.1%) were Christian. Nearly two-thirds (63.3%) were enrolled in health-related faculties. Overall, 76.1% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of risky sexual behaviour. The majority (79.2%) exhibited negative (protective) attitudes toward RSB. Lifetime sexual activity prevalence was 26.6%, with a mean age of sexual debut of 18.21 ± 2.86 years. Among xv sexually active respondents, lifetime RSB prevalence was 88.2%, and recent (12- month) RSB prevalence was 90.2%. Unprotected sex was the most common risky practice (75.1% lifetime, 72.4% recent), followed by sex with casual partners (57.4% lifetime, 51.2% recent). Off-campus residence (AOR = 17.50, 95% CI: 3.07–99.72, p = 0.001), poor knowledge (AOR = 54.61, 95% CI: 4.74–628.98, p = 0.001), early sexual debut (AOR = 8.82, 95% CI: 1.11–69.83, p = 0.039), and positive attitude (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.30, p = 0.002) were significant independent predictors of lifetime RSB. For recent RSB, male sex (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.58, p = 0.009), off-campus residence (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 1.04–18.17, p = 0.045), and positive attitude (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.79, p = 0.023) were significant predictors. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and predominantly protective attitudes, the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among sexually active undergraduate students in Edo State remains alarmingly high. Off-campus residence, poor knowledge, early sexual debut, male sex, and negative attitudes emerged as key drivers of RSB. There is an urgent need for targeted, skills-based sexual health interventions addressing environmental vulnerabilities, condom negotiation self-efficacy, and male-focused reproductive health education within tertiary institutions in Edo State. Keywords: Risky sexual behaviour; Undergraduate students; Knowledge; Attitudes; Prevalence; Edo State; Nigeria.

BACKGROUND
Mental health disorders among university students are an increasing public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to formal mental health services remains limited. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are increasingly being integrated into students’ academic and social activities, with emerging interest in their potential role in mental health support. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, uptake, utilization, factors influencing use, and mental health status associated with AI mental health chatbot use among undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 436 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.050 at 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
The mean age of respondents studied was 21.84 ± 3.97 years. Nearly all respondents demonstrated awareness of AI chatbots, while approximately nine-tenths had good overall knowledge. However, awareness of clinically validated mental health–specific chatbots such as Woebot and Wysa was very low. About three-quarters of respondents demonstrated positive attitudes towards AI mental health chatbots. Uptake of AI chatbots was near-universal (96.6%), driven predominantly by general-purpose platforms such as ChatGPT for academic purposes. Uptake of clinically validated mental health-specific chatbots such as Woebot and Wysa was negligible. Only a small proportion reported using AI chatbots specifically for emotional support or mental health-related purposes. Ethnicity and level of study were identified as significant predictors of good knowledge of AI chatbots. Respondents with good knowledge had significantly higher odds of positive attitudes towards AI mental health chatbots (OR = 4.003; CI = 1.940–8.258; p < 0.001). Peer influence, anonymity, affordability, and privacy concerns significantly influenced AI chatbot utilization. High utilization was significantly associated with academic level and religion. Nearly three-fifths (59.9%) of respondents screened positive for depression. High AI chatbot utilization (OR = 1.753; CI = 1.083–2.836; p = 0.022) and high dependency (OR = 2.173; CI = 1.039–4.542; p = 0.039) were identified as significant predictors of depression.
CONCLUSION
Despite high awareness, positive attitudes, and near-universal uptake of AI chatbots among undergraduate students, awareness of clinically validated mental health–specific platforms remain low. Depression was highly prevalent among respondents, and high AI chatbot utilization and dependency were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. There is need for targeted digital mental health literacy programmes, institutional regulation of AI mental health tools, and integration of safe, evidence-based digital mental health interventions within university settings.

Background: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices are essential for adolescent health, dignity, and academic performance. Inadequate knowledge, poor attitudes, and limited facilities in schools contribute to waterborne diseases, absenteeism, and reduced learning outcomes. Despite sensitization efforts, misconceptions about WASH remain common among secondary school students, influenced by age, sex, family structure, and socioeconomic background. Strengthening WASH education and infrastructure is critical to improving hygiene practices and reducing risks.

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and determinants of WASH
practices among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, with the aim of identifying gaps and making recommendations for improved hygiene management in schools.

Subjects and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 secondary school students selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested self- administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 27.0. Associations between socio- demographic characteristics and WASH knowledge, attitude, and practice were tested using chi-square statistics, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 14.05 ± 1.85 years, with females comprising 60.4%. Awareness of WASH was moderate (71.9%), with teachers (48.3%) and parents (27.0%) as the main sources of information. Good knowledge of WASH was found in 177 (46.5%) respondents, while 204 (53.5%) demonstrated poor knowledge. Age was significantly associated with knowledge: students aged ≥17 years had higher odds of good knowledge (OR = 9.52; 95% CI =3.21–28.23; p < 0.001) compared to those aged 10–13 years. Female students were more likely to have good knowledge than males (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.17–2.71; p = 0.007). Junior secondary students (JSS) were significantly less likely to have good knowledge compared to senior secondary students (SSS) (OR = 0.005, 95% CI = 0.001–0.017, p < 0.001). This finding confirms that class level, reflecting both age and curriculum exposure, is a critical determinant of
WASH knowledge. Parental occupation also influenced knowledge, with students whose fathers were in skill level 4 jobs having higher odds of good knowledge (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.31– 4.43; p = 0.036). Mother’s occupation showed similar associations (OR = 3.12; 95% CI = 1.45– 6.71; p = 0.004). Attitudes toward WASH were generally positive, but determinants were significant. Students with good knowledge were more likely to have positive attitudes (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.34– 5.92; p = 0.006). Conversely, not living with both parents reduced the odds of positive attitude (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.21–0.76; p = 0.005). The prevalence of good WASH practices was encouraging but not universal. While handwashing after toilet use was common (74.8%), fewer students practiced handwashing before meals (51.2%) or recognized the need for gender-separated toilets with nearby handwashing facilities (49.3%). Good knowledge increased the odds of good practice (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.17–4.19; p = 0.015), while lack of privacy in hostels or public toilets was significantly associated with poor menstrual hygiene practice (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.01–2.87; p = 0.047).

Conclusion: Although awareness and knowledge of WASH were encouraging, substantial gaps remain in practical knowledge, attitudes, and consistent hygiene practices. Younger students and males were more likely to have poor knowledge, while family structure and privacy issues influenced attitudes and practices. Improving school- based health education, expanding the role of health clubs, strengthening WASH facilities, and providing private, girl-friendly spaces are essential to promote safe practices, reduce disease burden, and enhance academic performance among secondary school students.

Background: Social media addiction is a behavioural problem characterised by excessive, poorly controlled use of social media platforms that interferes with daily functioning and is associated with depression, anxiety, stress and reduced productivity among university students. It is common in young adults and is linked to long daily usage, night-time use and other behavioural patterns that worsen mental-health outcomes. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, prevalence, patterns of social media addiction and its association with the mental health status of undergraduates in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 548 undergraduates of the University of Benin selected using a multi-stage (proportionate stratified + systematic) sampling technique. Data were collected with a pre-tested, self- administered questionnaire (sociodemographics, knowledge and attitude sections) and standardised scales, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) for addiction risk and the DASS-21 for depression, anxiety and stress. Data were presented in frequency tables and analysed using bivariate (χ²) tests and multivariable logistic regression; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.5 ± 2.9 years and 306 (55.8%) were females. Awareness of social media addiction was high (519, 94.7%). Majority had good knowledge of social media addiction (395, 76.1%) and a positive attitude towards it (396, 72.1%). By BSMAS grading, 127 (23.2%) were low-risk, 349 (63.7%) moderate-risk and 72 (13.1%) high-risk for social media addiction (social media addiction present = 72/548, 13.1%). On DASS-21 grading, 136 (24.8%) had d pression, 163 (29.7%) had anxiety, and 44 (8.0%) had stress; overall 200 (36.5%) were classified as having poor mental health while 348 (63.5%) xii had good mental health. Respondents with a positive attitude were more likely to have poor mental health (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.382–3.734, p = 0.001) and respondents with social media addiction were substantially more likely to have poor mental health than those without (OR = 10.30, 95% CI = 5.337–19.914, p < 0.001). Social media addiction was also a strong predictor of specific outcomes anxiety (OR = 4.121, 95% CI = 2.324–7.305, p < 0.001) and stress (OR = 12.669, 95% CI = 5.386–29.804, p < 0.001). Other factors (monthly allowance, knowledge level, average daily hours and time of day of use) were associated with addiction risk and mental-health outcomes in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of social media addiction were high among UNIBEN undergraduates, but about one in eight students met high-risk criteria for social media addiction and over one-third had poor overall mental health. Social media addiction together with attitude, knowledge and usage patterns was a strong predictor of poorer mental- health outcomes (depression, anxiety and stress). Interventions to improve digital-wellness (education on healthy use, time-management, sleep hygiene and targeted counselling) are recommended.