V.Y ADAM

Background: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Effective household management by caregivers plays a crucial role in early recognition, prompt treatment, and prevention of complications. However, inadequate knowledge, poor health-seeking behaviour, and inappropriate treatment practices remain significant challenges. Aim: To assess the household management of ARI symptoms among caregivers of under-five children in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, and identify factors influencing management practices and treatment outcomes. Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 506 caregivers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from standard survey tools. Information obtained included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of ARIs, prevalence of symptoms, care-seeking behaviour, factors influencing management, and treatment outcomes. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to determine associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 35.98 ± 11.04 years, with the majority being mothers (73.9%) and females (76.7%). Most respondents (80.2%) had heard of ARI. Knowledge of danger signs (94.3%) and prevention (74.6%) was generally good, while knowledge of symptoms (29.3%) and causes (30.3%) was poor. The prevalence of ARI in the last two weeks was 14.8%. A majority of caregivers (70.7%) sought treatment, mainly from primary health centres and government hospitals (26.4% each). However, only 35.8% sought care on the same day. Major barriers to care-seeking included cost (31.8%) and perceived non-severity of illness (27.3%). Most children (77.3%) had complete recovery, with few complications (2.7%) and low hospitalization rates (5.3%). Caregiver age (p = 0.009) and sex of the child (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Although caregivers demonstrated good knowledge of ARI prevention and danger signs, significant gaps exist in knowledge of symptoms and causes. While care- seeking behaviour was relatively high, delays and inappropriate practices persist. Strengthening caregiver education, improving access to affordable healthcare, and addressing socio-economic barriers are essential to improve ARI management and reduce childhood morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, caregivers, household management, under-five children, prevalence, health-seeking behaviour, treatment outcomes

Background: School health services are essential for promoting pupils’ health, reducing preventable diseases, and supporting effective learning outcomes. However, their effectiveness is dependent on teachers’ awareness and engagement, as well as the availability of functional infrastructure. In many settings, these components remain weak, contributing to sustained transmission of communicable diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections among school children. Objective: This study assessed teachers’ knowledge and attitude, availability of school health facilities, and the burden of communicable diseases among pupils in Egor LGA to guide improvements in school health services. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2025 and May 2026 among 254 teachers and 245 pupils in primary schools in Egor LGA, Benin City, Edo State recruited via a multistage sampling technique. Data collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire was analysed with IBM SPSS 27.0 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of teachers was 39.3 ± 9.4 years, while pupils had a mean age of 10.1 ± 2.0 years. Most teachers were female, 438 (73.0%), married, 460 (76.6%), and possessed a B.Ed/B.Sc degree, 147 (57.9%). Good knowledge of school health services was observed in 92 (54.1%) respondents and was significantly associated with years of teaching experience (p = 0.031) and school type (p < 0.01). Most teachers, 185 (72.8%), demonstrated a positive attitude towards school health services. School health infrastructure and preventive services were limited, with only 98 (38.6%) schools keeping pupils’ health records. Among pupils, 93 (38.0%) reported illness within the preceding three months, with malaria being the most common condition, 38 (40.9%). Most pupils had good hygiene indicators and normal nutritional status. Primary caregiver type significantly predicted child ill health (p = 0.001). Major barriers to implementation included shortage of trained personnel, 110 (44.0%), lack of health education programmes, 131 (52.6%), and low parental awareness of school health services. Conclusion: Most respondents had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards school health services. However, school health facilities were inadequate and communicable diseases were common among pupils, especially in public schools. Strengthening teacher training, improving infrastructure, and ensuring adequate funding and supervision are needed to improve implementation and reduce disease burden.

BACKGROUND: Patent medicine stores and vendors frequently serve as the first point of care for many individuals across Nigeria, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas. Although measures exist to regulate their practices, their widespread utilisation for primary health services remains a major public health consideration. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the utilisation of patent medicine stores and vendors
(PMVs) for health services among residents of Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State.
METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 residents of Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. Respondents were selected using a multi-sampling method. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULT: The mean age of respondents was 29.0±13.5 years, with 304 (55.3%) females and 392 (71.3%) single. Regarding types of health services utilised, malaria treatment was the most frequently sought service 507 (92.2%), followed by headache or pain relief 463 (84.2%) and fever management 441 (80.2%). In contrast, services such as family planning 111 (20.2%), reproductive health advice 111 (20.2%), and treatment of sexually transmitted infections 63 (11.5%) were markedly underutilised. Perceived benefits of PMV patronage included shorter waiting times 407 (74.0%), closer proximity 394 (71.6%), and extended operating hours 339 (61.6%), while major perceived risks were delay in proper medical care 277 (50.4%), sale of medicines without prescription 257 (46.7%), and insufficient vendor training 249 (45.3%). Factors significantly associated with utilisation were proximity to home 385 (70.0%), extended operating hours 341 (62.0%), previous positive experience 338 (61.5%), and cost of services 324 (58.9%). Overall, 364 (66.2%) respondents were satisfied with PMV services, with male residents demonstrating significantly higher satisfaction 180 (73.2%) and willingness to recommend 194 (78.9%) than females with 184 (60.5%) and 193 (63.5%,) respectively.
CONCLUSION: Majority of the respondents utilised patent medicine stores for health services, with malaria treatment being the most sought-after care. Accessibility and convenience were the primary drivers of this health-seeking behaviour, despite a clear awareness of clinical risks. Satisfaction remained high, especially among male residents. Formal integration, targeted training, and strengthened regulatory oversight are urgently needed to improve the safety and quality of care provided by PMVs.

Background: Traditional health practices (THP) remain prevalent among women of reproductive age in Nigeria, often intersecting with modern healthcare utilization. In Nigeria, the use of traditional medicine is deeply embedded in cultural and social life, and women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to its associated risks. Egor Local Government Area of Edo State reflects these broader national challenges, with cultural beliefs, economic constraints, and limited access to modern healthcare identified as key drivers of THP utilization. Few studies have specifically assessed THP utilization using a comprehensive multi-dimensional approach in this urban Nigerian setting. Objectives: This study assessed the types of traditional health practices, providers, perceived benefits and risks including the factors associated with its use among women of reproductive age in Egor LGA, Benin City. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Six hundred and thirty- six women of reproductive age (15–49 years) residing in selected communities across Egor LGA were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed with IBM SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 636 women participated with a response rate of 100%. The mean age of respondents fell within the 15 – 25 years age group, and most were married 296 (46.5%), predominantly Christian 559 (87.9%), with tertiary education accounting for 352 (55.4%) and the majority engaged in trading or self-employment (43.4%). Overall, 236 (37.1%) reported utilizing THP within the preceding 12 months. Herbal preparation was the most widely used practice 209 (88.6%), followed by traditional birth attendant 69 (29.2%). Among the respondents 313 (49.2%) perceived THP as beneficial, while 316 (49.7%) regarded THP methods as safe. However, 44 (18.6%) reported adverse effects, most commonly stillbirth 17 (38.6%), and 34 (77.3%) sought medical care following complications. Marital status (χ² = 115.783, p < 0.001), educational level (χ² = 58.495, p < 0.001), religion (χ² = 21.043, p < 0.001), and monthly income (χ² = 48.243, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with THP utilization. Cost of modern healthcare was the predominant factor associated with traditional health practices

Background: Health beliefs and health-seeking behaviours are major determinants of women’s health outcomes, particularly in reproductive health. In Nigeria, women of reproductive age face multiple challenges, including cultural and religious norms, socioeconomic constraints, and limited access to quality healthcare, all of which delay or prevent timely care-seeking. These barriers contribute significantly to the country’s high maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Understanding how health beliefs shape health-seeking behaviour is therefore essential for improving women’s engagement
with formal healthcare services and reducing preventable complications. Objective: This study aimed to assess health beliefs, health-seeking behaviours and the influence of these health beliefs on the health-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Oredo
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2024 to 2025among 590 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method, and data were collected through a pre-tested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire that covered socio-demographic characteristics, health beliefs, and health-seeking behaviours. Data was analysed using IBMSPSS version26. Descriptive statistics summarised respondents’ characteristics, Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables, and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of health beliefs and health-seeking behaviour. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A majority of respondents 304 (51.5%) demonstrated positive health beliefs, with many perceiving their health as good or excellent. Educational status and
15 socioeconomic level were significantly associated with positive health beliefs (p<0.05). Overall, health-seeking behaviour was good, as most respondents, 398 (67.5) reported willingness to seek formal healthcare services. However, barriers such as Distance 94 (32.8%), financial constraints 86 (30.0%), long waiting time 109 (38.1), Religious factors 108 (37.8%) and lack of trust in healthcare systems 106 (37.1%) were noted. Health beliefs strongly shaped care-seeking behaviour, with some respondents substituting or delaying formal healthcare in favour of herbal remedies, cultural traditions, or religious practices. Conclusion: A majority of respondents demonstrated positive health beliefs, with good health-seeking behaviour. Most respondents preferred formal healthcare services;
however, barriers to proper healthcare utilization, such as cost, distance, poor staff
attitude, and long waiting times, were reported. Health beliefs strongly shaped care- seeking behaviour, with some respondents delaying or substituting formal healthcare in favour of alternative practices such as herbal medicines, faith-based healings and cultural practices. Keywords: Health beliefs, Health-seeking behaviour, Cultural practices, Women of reproductive age, Nigeria