UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

The purpose of the study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate students towards family planning in the University of Benin. To achieve the purpose of the study, three (3) research questions and one hypothesis were raised and important literature related to family planning were clearly discussed.The descriptive survey research design was used for this study and the population consisted of all enrolled undergraduate students in the University of Benin, Benin City,Edo State during the 2024/2025 session, with an estimated undergraduate population of 41,404 students (19,779 females and 21,625 males). A Multi stage sampling procedure was adopted for this study, to select one hundred and ninety (190) students from five faculties. The instrument used for data collection was a well-structured close-ended questionnaire with twenty (20) items. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The Cronbach alpha method was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of one hundred and ninety (190) questionnaires were administered to the sample and data collected was analyzed using frequency count and percentage while Chi Square was used to test the hypothesis ofthe study.Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that undergraduate students in the University of Benin are well informed about family planning and hold predominantly positive attitudes toward it. The statistically significant relationship established between knowledge and attitudes further confirms that greater knowledge of family planning is associated with more favourable attitudinal disposition among undergraduates it was therefore recommended that University health authorities should sustain and expand existing reproductive health education programmes to consolidate and deepen the high levels of family planning knowledge already recorded among undergraduate students,ensuring that information remains current, accurate, and accessible across all faculties,Campus health centres should build on the positive attitudinal climate identified in this study by creating platforms that encourage open dialogue around family planning,including peer education sessions, health fairs, and counselling services that address misconceptions and reinforce favourable attitudes. And also, policymakers and health educators should design evidence-based interventions that prioritize knowledge enhancement as a strategy for sustaining positive attitudes toward family planning.

This study investigates the attitudes of undergraduate students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) towards media campaigns against hard drug use. Despite ongoing efforts by the government and NGOs to spread anti-drug messages through television, radio, and social media, drug misuse remains common among students. The research is grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which help explain how attitudes and behavioral intentions are formed through media influence. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 400 undergraduate respondents across UNIBEN’s Ugbowo and Ekehuan campuses using structured questionnaires. Results showed that while students are generally aware of anti-drug media campaigns, many do not find them persuasive or relatable. Factors such as peer influence, media trust, and personal experiences played a major role in shaping student reactions. The findings revealed that students were more influenced by campaigns featuring real-life stories, relatable role models, or culturally relevant messages. However, emotional reactions ranged from motivation to indifference, depending on the campaign’s content and medium. The study recommends that future campaigns should be studentfocused, engaging, and reflective of real campus life to increase effectiveness.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a recurrent health concern among university students and can be facilitated by ergonomic and environmental factors, including sleeping surfaces. Poor mattress quality, inappropriate firmness, or prolonged use may expose individuals to spinal discomfort and reduced sleep satisfaction. Despite the significance of this relationship, limited research has explored the role of sleeping surfaces in MSP among Nigerian university students. Aim: This study investigated the correlation between sleeping surfaces and musculoskeletal pain among residents of campus hostels within the University of Benin.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted involving 346 participants (60.2% females, 39.8% males) selected through stratified random sampling from five hostels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Boston Mattress Satisfaction Questionnaire (BMSQ). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 26. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The most frequently reported regions of pain were the lower back (50.7%), neck (47.3%), and upper back (43.6%). Foam mattresses were predominantly used (95.7%) with a mean thickness of 7.12 ± 2.61 cm and average sleep duration of 5.76 ± 1.31 hours. Significant associations were found between mattress type and pain in the wrist/hands, upper back, and ankles, and between duration of mattress use and pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, upper back, and hips/thighs (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that the type and duration of mattress use significantly influence musculoskeletal pain among hostel residents. Prolonged use of substandard or worn-out foam mattresses contributes to pain and reduced sleep satisfaction. It is recommended that students and hostel management prioritize ergonomic education, regular mattress replacement, and physiotherapy-led interventions to improve spinal health and sleep quality.
Keywords: Sleeping surface, Musculoskeletal pain, Hostel residents, Mattress, University of Benin.

This study titled “Assessment of Public Relations Strategies among Pentecostal Fellowships in the University of Benin (UNIBEN)” examined how campus based Pentecostal fellowships apply public relations to build image, attract members, retain members and manage relationships. The main objective was to identify the Public relations strategies used, assess their effectiveness, and examine their impact on fellowship growth and communication. The study was guided by Two way symmetrical communication theory and relationship management theory which emphasize two-way communication and relationship building. Using the survey method, data were collected through questionnaires and the findings showed that fellowships rely on strategies such as social media, posters, organized events, and word-of-mouth publicity. While these methods increased visibility and membership, most communication was one-way, with limited opportunities for dialogue and feedback. The study concludes that fellowships focus more on promotion than relationship-building and recommends adopting more interactive platforms, training leaders in public relations skills, and encouraging feedback mechanisms to improve trust, credibility, and sustainable growth.

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception (KAP) of dry eye disease (DED) among students of the University of Benin. A descriptive, questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 712 eligible undergraduates aged 17 – 30 years. Data were collected through a self-administered instrument adapted from a previously validated KAP questionnaire distributed both online and in person. Information gathered included demographics, ocular history, self-reported symptoms, and awareness, attitudes, and perceptions related to DED. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while bivariate analyses examined associations between KAP domains and biodemographic variables. Commonly reported symptoms included light sensitivity (42.3%), blurry vision (28.7%), and eye fatigue (22.8%), whereas 26.8% reported none. Although 61.7% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of DED, attitudes and practices were only moderately positive (54.4%), and perception levels were relatively weak (45.9%). Faculty of study showed a significant association with knowledge (p = 0.007), but no demographic factor was significantly linked to attitude or perception. These findings reveal a disconnect between awareness and behavioral practice, as many students experiencing symptoms lacked consistent preventive habits or concern regarding disease seriousness. Overall, University of Benin students exhibited satisfactory knowledge and moderately positive attitudes toward DED but suboptimal perception of personal risk. This underscores the need for strengthened health education and behavioral interventions aimed at enhancing awareness, perception, and regular preventive practices such as the use of lubricating drops, scheduled screen breaks, and protective eyewear. The observed trend aligns with similar KAP studies (Al-Mohaimeed et al., 2019; Al-Rajhi et al., 2021).

Background: Patient safety is a fundamental component of quality healthcare and an essential aspect of healthcare training. Medical errors and preventable adverse events remain major causes of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Adequate knowledge and positive perceptions of patient safety are important for promoting safe clinical practice and reducing preventable harm. However, gaps in patient safety education and training continue to exist among medical and nursing students. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, perception and determinants of patient safety among medical and nursing students in the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 consenting medical and nursing students in the University of Benin selected through a stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO Patient Safety Curriculum Guide and the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire III (APSQ-III). The questionnaire assessed respondents’socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of patient safety, perception toward patient safety, and determinants influencing patient safety knowledge and perception. Data collected was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to summarize the data. Chi-square test and multivariable analysis were used to determine associations and predictors of patient safety knowledge and perception. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results were presented in tables, charts and prose. Results: A total of 420 respondents participated in the study, with a mean age of 22.2 ± 2.6 years. Most respondents, 383 (91.2%) had heard of patient safety with lectures 298 (71.0%) and clinical postings 273 (65.0%) being the major sources of information. Three hundred and eighty-nine (92.6%) of respondents had good knowledge of patient safety. Respondents residing off-campus were significantly less likely to have good knowledge of patient safety compared to those living in school hostels (OR = 0.376, 95% CI: 0.145-0.974, p = 0.044), while respondents who had not heard of patient safety were about 92% less likely to have good knowledge compared to those who were aware (OR = 0.081, 95% CI: 0.029-0.227, p < 0.001). Overall, 273 (65%) had positive perception of patient safety. Majority agreed that patient safety is a global issue (92.4%), most clinical errors are preventable (92.6%), patient involvement improves safety (93.3%) and teamwork reduces errors (88.8%). Respondents sponsored by parents were about three times more likely to have positive perception compared to those who sponsored themselves (OR = 3.296, 95% CI: 1.325-8.194, p = 0.010). Determinants influencing patient safety included supervisory emphasis on patient safety (96.7%), integration of safety concepts into lectures and training (87.1%), adequate clinical training (71.7%), practical teaching methods (97.9%), and personal motivation (86.7%). Conclusion: Medical and nursing students in the University of Benin demonstrated generally good knowledge and positive perceptions of patient safety. Despite this, gaps still exist in system-based understanding of patient safety. Strengthening patient safety education through improved curriculum integration and simulation-based learning is recommended to further promote patient safety culture among future healthcare professionals.

Background: Spinal pain (SP), encompassing low back, neck, and upper back discomfort, is a prevalent musculoskeletal problem among healthcare professionals and students. Clinical postings expose Basic Medical Sciences students to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing, awkward postures, and repetitive patient handling, predisposing them to SP. Despite its burden, limited research has examined its prevalence and associated factors among students across different health disciplines in Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern, contributing factors, coping strategies, and functional limitations related to spinal pain among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings at the University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 351 students from Physiotherapy, Nursing, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, spinal pain prevalence (12-month and 7-day recall), and the Spinal Functional Index (SFI). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The 12-month prevalence of lower back pain, upper back pain, and neck pain was 51.9%, 12.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. Within the past 7 days, prevalence rates were 42.2%, 14.8%, and 17.1%. Physiotherapy and Nursing students reported the highest occurrence of spinal pain. Although 20.5% of respondents sought medical care or missed activities due to pain, most reported mild functional limitations (mean SFI = 4.57 ± 2.78). There was no significant relationship between age and functional limitation (r = –0.028, p = 0.597), or between posting hours and functional limitation (r = 0.104, p = 0.052). Gender showed no significant association with spinal pain prevalence. Conclusion: Spinal pain is highly prevalent among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings, particularly among those in physiotherapy and nursing. The findings underscore the need for ergonomic education, workload management, and institutional policies that prioritize student musculoskeletal health. Keywords: Spinal pain, Basic Medical Sciences students, clinical postings, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain, University of Benin.

The study concluded that undergraduates are not using the reference management software (RMS) and that reference management software plays no role in their undergraduate learning. Undergraduates in Uniben are faced with challenges in using RMS such as a lack of training, instruction, and computer skills. In view of the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made Reference Management software should be provided and made available in Universities and students exposed to it. Proper instruction and training on RMS, and citation styles should be given to students to enhance their usage. The computer skills of students should be enhanced and as well be provided with technical support majorly from the university library.

This project aimed to design and implement UnibenEngVault, a web-based platform created to provide engineering students of the University of Benin with centralized and convenient access to academic resources such as lecture notes, past questions, and tutorial materials. The initiative was motivated by the persistent difficulty students face in sourcing relevant study materials due to the lack of a unified and structured digital repository within the Faculty of Engineering. The development followed a structured methodology consisting of project planning and approval, problem analysis, system design, development, and deployment. The UI/UX design was created using Figma to ensure an intuitive and visually appealing interface. The frontend was developed with ReactJS, while the backend was implemented using Python (Flask) and PostgreSQL for database management. AWS S3 was utilized for cloud storage, and deployment was achieved through Docker, GitHub Actions (CI/CD), and DigitalOcean Droplets to ensure scalability and reliability. Security measures such as session authentication, CORS configuration, and bcrypt password hashing were implemented, alongside thorough unit, integration, and user testing. The final outcome is a secure, functional, and user-friendly platform that enables students to easily access department- and level-specific academic materials. UnibenEngVault enhances academic collaboration, improves resource accessibility, and provides a sustainable technological solution to the long-standing challenge of academic material distribution within the Faculty of Engineering

Background: Academic-related stress has become a growing concern among university students, particularly those in medical and allied health disciplines. Previous studies have established that medical and health science students experience higher stress levels than their counterparts in other fields, yet limited data exist for students of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Benin. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of academic-related stress among students of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Benin, as well as to identify their coping strategies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed using stratified random, sampling. Data were collected from 300 undergraduate students across departments such as Nursing, Physiology, and Anatomy through a structured questionnaire incorporating the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and academic stress indicators. Descriptive and inferential statistics including Chi- square, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were used to analyze relationships between demographic variables, departmental differences, and stress levels at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that 86% of respondents experienced moderate stress, while 13.3% reported high stress levels. No significant gender differences were observed (p = 0.412), but significant variations existed across departments (p < 0.001), with Nursing students showing the highest stress levels. A positive correlation (r = 0.411, p < 0.001) was found between academic related stress and overall perceived stress. The most common coping strategies included talking with friends (24.7%), engaging in physical activities (24.7%), and religious practices (23%), while only 17% sought professional counseling. Conclusion: The study concludes that academic-related stress is highly prevalent among Basic Medical Science students at the University of Benin. Academic workload, frequent assessments, and clinical exposure were major stressors. Institutional interventions such as counseling services, stress management workshops, and curriculum review are recommended to enhance students’ psychological well-being and academic performance.