UTILISATION

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 xvii (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 behavior, 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.

This study was on the availability and utilization of information and communication technology resources for teaching business education courses in colleges of education Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study and three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised 133 business educators in colleges of education in Delta and River States. As a result of the manageable size, the entire population was used as sample, hence, census. The research instruments used for data collection was a checklist and a well-structured questionnaire titled "Availability and Utilisation of ICT Resources in Business Education Programme Questionnaire" (AUICTRBEPQ). The instrument for data collection was subjected to face validity by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts from the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Benin, Benin City. To determine the reliability of the instruments for the study, the internal consistency of the items were measured using Cronbach alpha statistic. The instrument yielded a coefficient of 0.88. Data collected were analysed using simple percentage (%) mean ( ), standard deviation (SD) and two sample independent t-test. The findings revealed that schools did not meet up to the standard set by the National Commission of Colleges of Education with regards to the required ICT facilities needed for teaching business education courses in colleges of education. There was a low utilisation of ICT resources in teaching business education courses in colleges of 14 education in Delta and River States. There was no significant difference between the utilisation of ICT resources for teaching business education courses by male and female business educators in colleges of education in Delta and River States; there was a significant difference between business educators in federal and state colleges of education in Delta and River States on the utilisation of ICT resources in teaching business education courses and there was a significant difference between office technology management option and accounting option on educators' utilisation of ICT resources in teaching business education courses. It was concluded that the availability and utilization of ICT resources in teaching business education courses in colleges of education in Delta and Rivers States was low and the low availability of ICT facilities contributed negatively to effective utilization of ICT resources in colleges of education in Delta and Rivers States. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that there should be collaboration between Government, management of the colleges of education and non-governmental agencies for the purchase of various ICT facilities in order to foster effective utilisation of these resources.

Sports facilities and equipment are key in ensuring proper training and improving the performance levels of athletes and other sports participants. This study was carried out to assess the provision and utilisation of sports facilities as determinants of success in selected competitive sports. The University of Benin was selected as the study area and the adequacy and quality level of
available facilities and equipment for various sports was assessed. The survey research design was employed and data was collected from a total of 100 participants using structured questionnaires designed by the researcher. Data collected was analysed using simple frequencies and percentages and presented in tables. The results of the study revealed that inadequate facilities for sporting activities cause a lack of interest in participation and that modification of certain equipment to suit the needs of the athlete can improve performances. It has also been revealed that supervision of training using facilities, maintenance and repair of equipment contribute to better performance in competitive sports. Generally, there is an indication that the availability of adequate sporting facilities and equipment is essential for success in competitive sports. The facilities for most sports were
judged to be inadequate. However, the quality of the available facilities was deemed to be generally good. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore concluded that the provision
and utilisation of sports facilities is a determinant of success in selected competitive sports.