KNOWLEDGE

This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and perception of the effects of deforestation among rural dwellers in Ekosodin Community, Benin City, Edo State. The study sought to determine the level of knowledge of residents regarding deforestation, ascertain the perceived causes and consequences of deforestation, and investigate rural residents' perceptions of environmental degradation brought on by deforestation. Three research questions were developed to guide the investigation and relevant literatures related to deforestation were clearly discussed. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 10,150 residents of Ekosodin Community. A sample size of 255 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a self- structured questionnaire titled 'Questionnaire on the Knowledge and Perception of the Effects of Deforestation among Residents of Ekosodin Community'. The project supervisor and experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education validated the instrument. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability method was used to determine the instrument's reliability. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze the data, and chi-square statistics were employed to test the hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that the majority of rural dwellers in Ekosodin Community possessed high knowledge of deforestation and were aware of its causes and environmental consequences. The respondents identified agricultural activities, indiscriminate tree felling, urban expansion, construction activities, fuelwood harvesting, and industrial development as major causes of deforestation in the community. Based on the findings, the study concludes that even though rural residents of Ekosodin Community are well-informed about deforestation and its consequences, ongoing environmental awareness campaigns and community involvement in forest conservation initiatives are still necessary. The study recommends that government agencies, environmental organizations, and community leaders intensify public education campaigns about the risks of deforestation, enforce environmental protection laws, support sustainable land-use practices, encourage tree planting programmes, and promote alternative energy sources to ensure environmental sustainability and ecological balance in the community.

Stimulants are a major constituent of psychoactive substances. They cause several untoward effects; including academic difficulty which can lead to untoward consequences for students. The understanding of the knowledge and pattern of use of stimulant will help in its prevention and control. Thus, this study intended to investigate the knowledge and practice and current prevalence rates of stimulant use, using the undergraduate students in the university of Benin as case study, age and gender of students as well monthly income and how they got to know about stimulants, specific type of stimulant used and reason for using stimulants. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic variables and the stimulant knowledge section, benefits, health effects and effects section of Questionnaire for Student Drug Use Survey. It was administered on 100 undergraduate students of University of Benin selected by random technique. The current prevalence rates of stimulant use were 61%, 54% and 50% respectively for the use caffeine, alcohol and cannabis. The majority (77%) of our respondents were in the age range of 21-25. Only 2% of our respondents were married. Therefore, efforts at curtailing the use of stimulants must start early; incorporating such strategy into primary school curriculum will be worthwhile. There is need to focus more on common stimulants like coffee, Kola nut, caffeinated energy drinks. Students need to study without using stimulants.

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).

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and early detection is vital in preventing vision loss. Knowledge, attitude, and perception toward glaucoma influence early diagnosis and management. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of glaucoma among students of the University of Benin. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 800 undergraduate students selected through stratified random sampling across 16 faculties. Participants comprised 432 males (54%) and 368 females (46%), aged 16–31 years (mean age 22.3 ± 2.7 years). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive and Chi-square statistics at p < 0.05. Results showed that 97.8% of respondents were aware of glaucoma, mainly through the internet (48.8%). However, only 26.8% demonstrated good knowledge, while 37.9% and 35.4% had fair and poor knowledge, respectively. Faculty of study significantly influenced knowledge, perception, and screening attitude (p < 0.001), while gender and age did not. Although 80.2% of respondents showed positive treatment attitudes, 48.4% had never undergone an eye examination. Most students (81.8%) recognized glaucoma’s hereditary risk, and 69.0% prioritized blindness prevention as an urgent health concern. the study found high awareness but limited depth of knowledge and low engagement in preventive eye care. Faculty of study played a key role in shaping awareness and behaviour. Targeted university-based interventions are recommended to enhance glaucoma literacy, promote regular eye screening, and reduce the risk of glaucoma-related blindness among young adults.

Background: Ergonomics, the science of aligning work environments with human capabilities, remains underemphasized in Nigeria’s informal auto-mechanic sector, where over 96% of workers train through apprenticeships that prioritize speed over safety. This study therefore assessed the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ergonomic principles among auto-mechanic workmen in Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used involving 384 auto-mechanic workmen with at least one year of experience, selected purposively from informal workshops in Benin City. Data on ergonomic KAP were obtained using an adapted questionnaire from a previous study. Participants sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric parameters were collected. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics of means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages, while Chi-square test was employed to determine associations between KAP variables and selected socio-demographic factors at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Respondents were overweight (26.13 ± 4.01 kg/m²), while more than a third (44%) of respondents were aged 35–44 years). Most (88.5%) of the respondents lack knowledge of ergonomics, 80.5% lacked formal training, though 83.6–88.3% identified risks from awkward and repetitive tasks. Attitudes were positive with 74.1% of respondents agreeing that ergonomics should be part of practice. Most (93.8%) respondents valued stretching, while practices were moderate (81.0%) changed positions regularly; 90.1% ensured good lighting). Significant associations were observed between each of KAP variables (p < 0.05), with select demographics (Age, Years of work experience and Job type). Conclusion: Although ergonomic knowledge remains limited, most auto-mechanic workmen display positive attitudes and fair ergonomic practices. The associations among KAP domains underscores the potential of targeted ergonomic education, low-cost tool adaptations, and integrated apprenticeship training to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and enhance occupational health in Nigeria’s auto-mechanic sector in Benin City.

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the principal causative agent of cervical cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Nigeria. Despite the availability of effective HPV vaccines, uptake among eligible girls remains unacceptably low, partly due to poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and low acceptance among mothers who serve as primary decision-makers for childhood immunization. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of HPV vaccination among mothers in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 mothers in Egor LGA, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, attitude towards HPV vaccination, acceptance of the HPV vaccine, and factors influencing acceptance. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorised as good (≥70%) or poor (<70%). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics, chi- square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 37.41 ± 10.10 years, and the majority (43.2%) were in the 30–39 years age group. Most respondents (51.9%) had tertiary education, and 84.4% belonged to the middle socioeconomic class. Overall, 70.8% of respondents had previously heard of HPV, with hospitals and health centres being the most common source of information (52.0%). Only 53.0% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, while 81.0% had a positive attitude and 81.0% accepted or were willing to vaccinate their daughters. On multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of good knowledge were older age (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.010–1.051, p = 0.004) and higher educational attainment (p < 0.001). xvi Independent predictors of positive attitude were good knowledge (OR = 5.053, 95% CI: 2.807– 9.098, p < 0.001) and being ever-married (OR = 4.349, 95% CI: 1.368–13.824, p = 0.013). Positive attitude was the sole independent predictor of acceptance of HPV vaccination (OR = 5.003, 95% CI: 2.746–9.114, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite poor knowledge among the majority of respondents, attitudes towards and acceptance of HPV vaccination were high. Targeted health education programmes addressing the knowledge gap are essential to sustaining and translating positive attitudes into improved HPV vaccine uptake among eligible girls in Egor LGA and similar urban communities in Nigeria.

Team-based care is an approach to healthcare delivery that aims to improve patient safety, streamline clinical workflows, and reduce clinical errors. While collaborative models are known to improve patient outcomes, their implementation in everyday practice can be limited by varied levels of awareness, traditional hospital hierarchies, and communication xvi gaps among healthcare professionals. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of team- based care among clinical staff in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 418 clinical staff at UBTH, selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of team-based care principles, overall perception of interprofessional collaboration, and factors influencing its practical implementation. Knowledge and perception scores were categorized as good (≥50%) or poor (<50%). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate. Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.84 ± 8.65 years, with the largest proportion (45.1%) in the 30–39 years age group. Most respondents (58.2%) were nurses, while 31.4% comprised doctors, pharmacists, and other clinical professionals. Overall, 88.5% of respondents had previously heard of team-based care, with clinical meetings and departmental seminars being the most common sources of information (54.0%). A total of 72.0% had good knowledge of team-based care frameworks, and 84.0% held a positive perception toward its practice. Professional cadre was significantly associated with knowledge (\chi^2 = 26.14, p < 0.001), and years of clinical work experience was also significantly associated with knowledge (\chi^2 = 8.45, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Although overall baseline knowledge of team-based care was moderate, with 72.0% of respondents demonstrating good knowledge, the majority of clinical staff held a positive perception toward interprofessional collaboration (84%). These findings suggest that xvii while readiness to adopt collaborative care is high among staff, practical execution faces systemic institutional challenges. Routine interprofessional training workshops, formalized hospital guidelines, and the early introduction of team-based modules in undergraduate medical and health curricula are recommended to improve collaborative healthcare delivery at UBTH. Keywords: Team-based care; knowledge; perception; clinical staff; interprofessional collaboration; UBTH; Nigeria.

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: Physiotherapists are part of the multidisciplinary health care team (MDT) and are essential in providing mental health education to patients and, when necessary, making referrals for additional customized therapy. However, there is a little or no studies on the knowledge, attitudes and perception of clinical students on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perception of final clinical students of the university of Benin on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Methods: This was a cross sectional design study where 256 participants were recruited via convenience sampling technique from final year clinical class at University of Benin. Data was summarized using frequency, percentages, mean, median and interquartile range as appropriate. Inferential statistics such as Chi-square was used to test for the association between the variables and Mann Whitney u-test was used to test for the level of differences. The level of significance will be set at p < 0.05. Results: Majority of the participants 221 (86.3%) had adequate knowledge of the role of physiotherapy, 131 (51.2%) had positive attitude and 218 (85.2%) had good perception towards the role of physiotherapy in mental health. There was no significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice between male and female (p = >0.05). However, there was a significant difference in attitude between various departments. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (X2= 4.627, p=0.031). Conclusion: The study revealed there was an adequate knowledge on the role of physiotherapy, attitude towards mental health and a good perception of the role of physiotherapy in mental health among the respondents.

Background: Task-shifting in primary healthcare was an initiative long adopted by the Federal Ministry of Health to assist in ensuring human resource maximization for universal health coverage especially across domains of reproductive, maternal, child health, family planning, and high prevalence communicable illness like tuberculosis and malaria. Despite its potential, only some states have adopted and begun implementation of the strategy, and among states that have adopted it like Edo State, the necessary assessment to understand the implementation level, acceptance, integration status and concerns of health workers about it locally, is limited. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge, perception and barriers to task-shifting among primary healthcare workers in Benin-City. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 healthcare workers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, self and interviewer administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, barriers and enablers to task-shifting. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.0. Univariate analysis summarised means, frequencies, and percentages. Bivariate analysis using chi square tests determined associations between socio-demographic factors and respondents’ knowledge and perception. Binary logistic regression identified independent determinants of good knowledge and perception. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 120 respondents participated, with a mean age of 35.9 ± 8.6 years, with females being 112 (93.3%), males 8 (6.7%). Those who demonstrated good knowledge were 37 (30.8%), and those with poor knowledge 83 (69.2%). Receiving training on task-shifting was found to be statistically significant and associated with knowledge, as those with prior training had good knowledge (59.9%) record than those without (17%) (χ²: 21.455; p < 0.001). Perception of task-shifting was mixed, as good and poor perception were almost equally distributed at 59 (49.2%) and 61 (50.8%) respectively. Age was significantly associated with perception, and was also a significant predictor of knowledge, with increasing age associated with reduced likelihood of positive perception (OR = 0.927; p = 0.024). Workers with 5 – 9 years of experience were also less likely to have positive perception of task-shifting (OR = 0.165, 95% CI: 0.031–0.872, p = 0.034). The barriers to task-shifting encountered most by respondents were inadequate training and knowledge gaps (mean score: 3.99 ± 1.19), lack of clear job description or role boundary (3.74 ± 1.28), inadequate supervision or monitoring (3.64 ± 1.28), lack of incentives or recognition (3.54 ± 1.33), resistance from higher cadres, shortage of staff and related issues were also mentioned as challenges/barriers. The enablers reported were adequate training, and supportive supervision (3.90 ± 1.42), availability of clear policy guideline (3.93 ± 1.42), teamwork and collaboration among cadres (3.77 ± 1.41), support from management and policy makers (3.79 ± 1.41). Conclusion: Primary healthcare workers in Benin-City had predominantly poor knowledge of task-shifting and the national task-shifting policy, coupled with mixed perception of task-shifting. Inadequate knowledge or training among staff, lack of clear job descriptions or roles, inadequate supervision or mentoring, lack of incentives or recognition were the identified barriers, while adequate training and supportive supervision, provision of policy guidelines, teamwork and inter-cadre collaboration, and support from management and policy makers were named among enablers. There should be concerted efforts to improve knowledge and perception of task- shifting through training and adequate supervision provision; this will also remove barriers to task-shifting.