EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Introduction: Household air pollution (HAP) remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Nigeria where biomass fuel use is still common. Under-five children are especially vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and increased exposure within household environments. Despite existing global data, there is limited community-specific evidence in peri-urban areas such as Ekosodin, Benin City. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of household air pollution and respiratory symptoms among under-five children in Ekosodin, Benin City, Edo State. It also sought to identify common sources of HAP and assess the association between exposure and respiratory symptoms. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of under￾five children using a multistage sampling technique. A minimum sample size of 298 was calculated, with 280 respondents participating. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to assess associations at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The majority of households used cleaner fuels, with gas (61.1%) and electricity (14.6%) being the most common, although some still used firewood (12.9%) and kerosene (7.5%). Most households had ventilation (94.6%), but only 18.6% had smoke outlets. Cough was the most prevalent respiratory symptom (31.4%), while wheezing (8.6%) and shortness of breath (3.2%) were less common. Diagnosed respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia (2.9%) and bronchitis (2.9%) were relatively low. Significant associations were found between respiratory symptoms and use of unclean fuels (p = 0.018), child proximity to cooking areas (p < 0.001), indoor pollution sources such as mosquito coils (p = 0.001), place of cooking (p < 0.001), and indoor tobacco smoking (p = 0.002). xi Conclusion: Despite the predominant use of cleaner fuels, household air pollution exposure remains prevalent due to other contributing factors such as cooking location, poor smoke outlet availability, and indoor pollution sources. These factors significantly influence the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children. Interventions should focus on improving household environmental practices alongside promoting clean energy use

This study was carried out to examine married women and their migrant husbands in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Marriage is an institution very strategic to human society and in African contexts, families are involved in marital processes. Married women with migrant husbands go through series of challenges. The objectives of the study are to examine the nature of the ties between the home based spouse and her resident inlaw, to identify the coping mechanisms of the home based spouse and to ascertain the consequences of the absence of the migrant breadwinner on the home based family. The study covered Benin City and the functionalist theory was adopted for the study. The study drew sample from the population of Oredo local government area. A 100% response rate was obtained from the questionnaires that was administered. The survey method of data collection was applied in the study because it is only the method best suited for the collection of data from a sample of a chosen population of any study, which was applicable in the study. The findings from this study shows most of the respondents know what migration is, this is because their husbands are migrants. The study reveals that the main cause of husbands migrating is to seek greener pastures. This study also shows that the migration of husbands has some consequences on their resident wives. The study recommends that the government should implement that the government should develop and implement policies that will specifically address the unique needs of married women with migrant husbands. It also recommends that NGOs should establish networks and community based programs to assist married women with migrant husbands. Lastly, the government should offer educational opportunities and skill development programs for married women with migrant husbands.