IMADE ONAIHO

The proliferation of gas stations, often situated in close proximity to residential and commercial areas, presents a significant public safety hazard, with the potential for catastrophic fires and explosions threatening lives, property, and economic stability. This study, titled “Assessment of Fire Safety Knowledge and Emergency Preparedness among Gas Stations in Egor Local Government Area,” was undertaken to critically evaluate the level of fire safety awareness, the adequacy of firefighting infrastructure, and the robustness of emergency response plans within these high-risk establishments. The research specifically investigated gas station attendants' and managers' knowledge of fire prevention measures, the causes and classes of fire, the availability and functionality of fire safety equipment, and the readiness to execute emergency evacuation procedures. The study was guided by clearly defined research questions that explored the relationship between staff competency, resource availability, and overall emergency preparedness. A comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation, drawing upon established safety models and situating the study within both national and international discourses on industrial safety and disaster risk reduction. A Descriptive survey research design was adopted to collect data from a representative sample of gas stations across Egor Local Government Area. The study population comprised all 35 registered gas stations in the locality, from which a sample size of 35 stations was selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure geographical and operational diversity. Within each selected station, a census sampling of all available attendants and managers was conducted, resulting in 20 respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire titled “Gas Station Fire Safety and Preparedness Assessment Questionnaire (GSFSPAQ),” which was validated by safety experts and confirmed to be reliable with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.711. Direct observational checklists were also used to assess the physical state of fire safety equipment and signage. Analysis involved both descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means) and inferential statistics (Chi-square) to examine the relationships between variables. Findings revealed a moderate level of theoretical knowledge about fire causes but significant practical deficiencies in the use of fire extinguishers and emergency protocols. While most stations possessed basic firefighting equipment like extinguishers, a considerable proportion were either expired, poorly maintained, or inaccessible. Furthermore, emergency preparedness was found to be generally inadequate, with a lack of regularly practiced and clearly communicated evacuation plans. Based on these findings, the study strongly recommends the mandatory, periodic training and certification of all gas station personnel, enforced routine inspection and maintenance of safety equipment by regulatory bodies, and the development and simulation of site-specific emergency response plans to enhance overall community resilience against fire disasters.

This study assessed the knowledge of climate change and environmental preservation among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The study was necessitated by the growing environmental challenges associated with climate change and the need to assess students’ level of awareness, practices, and attitudes toward environmental sustainability. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 8,000 secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area, as obtained from the Edo State Ministry of Education (2024). A sample size of 200 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratification and simple random sampling procedures. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire containing 30 items. The instrument was validated by the researcher and two others from the Department of Health Safety and Environmental Education. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that the majority of secondary school students possessed a high level of knowledge of climate change and environmental preservation. The study also showed that students engaged in some environmental preservation practices such as proper waste disposal, reduction in the use of plastics, and participation in environmental conservation activities. In addition, the results indicated that most students demonstrated positive attitudes toward environmental protection, including a willingness to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors.The findings concluded that although students have good knowledge and positive attitudes toward climate change and environmental preservation, there is still a need to strengthen practical engagement in environmental activities. The study recommended that environmental education should be intensified in schools, awareness programs should be regularly organized, and students should be encouraged to actively participate in environmental conservation practices.

This study titled "Awareness, Attitudes, and Practices of Breast Self-Examination among Female Students in the University of Benin Halls of Residence" aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and regular practice of BSE among young women in a Nigerian university setting, with the primary goal of identifying gaps that hinder early breast cancer detection and informing targeted health education interventions. The research is grounded in behavioral theories such as the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore the cognitive, emotional, and socio-cultural factors influencing BSE practices among this population. It employs a cross-sectional survey design utilizing structured questionnaires administered to female students residing in the university halls of residence, with data analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods to determine awareness levels, attitudes, and practice patterns. The findings reveal that while a significant proportion of the students have heard of BSE, actual practice remains low, with only a minority performing it regularly and correctly. Common barriers identified include lack of adequate knowledge, cultural taboos related to modesty, fear of discovering abnormalities, and insufficient privacy, all of which contribute to poor engagement in BSE. Based on these results, the study recommends implementing culturally sensitive health education programs within university settings to improve awareness and correct misconceptions about BSE, emphasizing the importance of regular practice for early detection of breast abnormalities. It also suggests the need for policy-level interventions to create private and supportive environments that facilitate proper BSE practices among young women to reduce the incidence and mortality associated with breast cancer.