CAUSES

The study investigated teacher's perception on the Causes of Failure of Students in Biology in Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, two research questions and one null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey study research design was adopted by the study. The population of this study consisted of all Biology teachers in the thirteen (13) public secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The number of teachers for this study is made up of thirty (30). The sample for the study was 30 Biology teachers from ten (13) randomly selected public secondary schools. The purposive sampling technique was adopted by the study to select the entire thirty (30) Biology teachers to make up the sample for the study. A structured questionnaire titled: "Teachers' Perception of the Causes of Failure of Students in Biology Questionnaire" (POTBQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts, the researchers' supervisor and two experts in Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, University of Benin, Benin City. Their opinions, suggestions and recommendations of these experts was used to produce the final instrument. The questionnaire were personally administered to all the respondents in the various schools after due permission was obtained from the principals. This was done in collaboration with the help of the subject teachers in the school who assisted with the distribution and collection of the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, mean (x), and standard deviation (SD). Frequency, mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions. The study found that Inadequate training of teachers affects students' performance and there are no adequate instructional materials for the teaching and learning of Biology and in most school the teachers do not make use of instructional materials. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended amongst others: The government should put into consideration professional training and qualifications of teachers during employment to ensure better outcomes during examinations. With this, only teachers with professional qualifications should be employed to teach Biology in our Secondary Schools.

This study examined the prevalence and causes of maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of pregnancy, remains one of the most critical public health challenges in developing nations, especially Nigeria. Despite national and global efforts to reduce maternal deaths through initiatives such as the Safe Motherhood Initiative, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria continues to rank among the countries with the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) globally. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, and data were collected from one hundred (100) women of reproductive age (15–45 years) selected through random sampling from various wards within Oredo Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation to interpret the responses according to the research questions. Findings revealed that maternal mortality in Oredo Local Government Area is influenced by both medical and non-medical factors. The major causes identified include lack of access to skilled birth attendants, poor nutrition, delay in seeking medical attention, cultural beliefs, and poor road infrastructure, with a grand mean of 3.30. The educational status of women also plays a significant role (grand mean = 3.24), as illiteracy and low awareness contribute to poor maternal health decisions. Income level emerged as a crucial determinant (grand mean = 3.58), as low-income women often cannot afford quality healthcare, leading to home deliveries and increased mortality. Similarly, deficiencies within the healthcare system such as shortage of qualified personnel, inadequate facilities, and poor emergency services were found to significantly enhance maternal mortality (grand mean = 3.17). The study concluded that maternal mortality in Oredo LGA results from an interplay of socio-economic, educational, cultural, and infrastructural factors. It therefore recommended improved investment in healthcare infrastructure, promotion of women’s education, economic empowerment initiatives, and stronger maternal health awareness campaigns. The study contributes to existing sociological and public health knowledge by emphasizing that maternal mortality is not only a medical issue but also a manifestation of broader social and structural inequalities that demand multidimensional interventions

The study investigated the perceived causes and effects of teenage pregnancy among students of the University of Benin. Four research questions were to guide the study. The purpose of the study was to access and examine the awareness and effects of teenage pregnancy among students in the University of Benin. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study consists of all (44,699) undergraduates from fourteen (14) faculties in the
University of Benin. The instrument used in this study is the questionnaire titled “the Causes and Effects of Teenage Pregnancy Students in the University of Benin” The finding from the study research revealed that the major causes of the teenage pregnancy are teenagers lack of Sexual Education and peer pressure, it cannot be totally ignored that Cultural Norms and Stigma surrounding discussions about sex also contribute to the teenage pregnancy necessary recommendation to the teenagers among the University of Benin undergraduate, general public, and government body as follows: students have access to confidential counseling services, Public awareness campaigns