Lifestyle

This study examined the effects of gambling on the lifestyle of undergraduate students in the University of Benin. The research was motivated by the increasing popularity of online betting platforms and the rising involvement of youths in gambling activities across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. A total of 150 respondents were randomly selected from various faculties within the university, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were employed to analyze the responses. Findings revealed that gambling is a prevalent activity among undergraduate students in the University of Benin, with many students spending a significant portion of their financial resources on betting activities. The study identified peer influence, economic hardship, the desire for quick money, and promotional incentives by betting companies as major factors motivating students to engage in gambling. Furthermore, results showed that gambling negatively affects students’ academic performance, leading to poor concentration, reduced study time, and declining grades. The study also established that excessive gambling contributes to psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, while also straining interpersonal relationships and promoting social isolation. Financial consequences such as debt, mismanagement of funds, and increased dependence on external support were also reported among frequent gamblers. The study concludes that gambling poses significant social, psychological, academic, and financial risks to undergraduates, despite being perceived by any as a harmless recreational or income-generating activity. It recommends that the university establish more awareness campaigns and counselling programs to address gambling addiction, enforce stricter campus policies regulating gambling activities, and introduce skill acquisition programmers to provide sustainable financial alternatives for students. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to monitor their wards’ financial habits and provide adequate support to reduce reliance on gambling income.

Kidney disease is increasingly linked to lifestyle choices such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and inadequate hydration. This study assessed the awareness of the perceived impact of lifestyle on the incidence of kidney disease among Faculty of Arts students in a tertiary educational institution in Benin City. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted, involving 329 students selected through a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique from the Departments of English and Literature (34%) and History and International Studies (66%). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated for reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.701)and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS. The findings revealed that
85.8% of respondents were aware that lifestyle choices influence kidney disease risk, while 81.2% recognized the importance of hydration. However, only 4.2% reported learning about kidney health in their studies. Regarding lifestyle habits, 83.9% limited processed food intake, 80% maintained adequate hydration, but only 53.5% exercised regularly. A majority (82.4%)believed kidney disease is preventable through healthy lifestyles, yet just 50.1% possessed adequate knowledge of its risk factors. Additionally, 83.6% supported more health campaigns, and 72.4% agreed kidney health education should be part of theuniversity curriculum. Chi- square tests indicated significant relationships between awareness of lifestyle impact and both gender (χ² =8.088, p = 0.044) and age (χ² = 84.097, p = 0.000). Overall, 64.4% were willing to attend kidney health seminars, and 85.7% desired more information. The study concludes that while awareness of lifestyle-related kidney health is generally positive, knowledge gaps persist, underscoring the need for targeted health education and inclusion of kidney health topics in tertiary curricula.