KNOWLEDGE

This study was embarked upon to to examine the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among undergraduates in the University of Benin. Four research questions were raised to guide this study. The descriptive research design was used for this study and the population consisted of 47,468 students as of the 2023/2024 academic session (Student Affairs Division, 2024). A total of two hundred and ninety-nine (299) undergraduate students were selected. The instrument used for data collection was a well- structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The test-retest reliability was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of two hundred and ninety-nine (299) questionnaires were administered to the sample respondents and data collected was analyzed using frequency count and percentage. Based on the data collected and analyzed, it was discovered that the respondents have a high of knowledge about oral hygiene, also the respondents have a high level of knowledge about the importance of oral hygiene. However, the respondents have bad attitudes towards oral hygiene and the respondents have poor oral hygiene practices. It was concluded that undergraduates' oral hygiene practices are greatly influenced by their knowledge and that ongoing efforts in education, awareness campaigns, and dental service accessibility are necessary to ensure that students not
only maintain optimal oral health throughout their academic careers but also form lifelong habits that enhance their overall quality of life. It was recommended that the University should collaborate with health organizations and dental professionals to organize regular oral health seminars, workshops, and campaigns to improve students' knowledge of proper oral hygiene practices, oral health education can be incorporated into general health courses for undergraduates to provide them with foundational knowledge on the importance of oral hygiene and preventive care, focused health education initiatives to close the knowledge-practice gap and encourage students to adopt healthier oral hygiene practices should be provided, the University Health Center should offer affordable and accessible dental care services, including routine check-ups, professional cleaning, and consultations to encourage students to seek preventive care regularly and campaigns using posters, flyers, social media platforms, and other communication channels should be conducted to inform students about the long-term consequences of neglecting oral health, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and systemic health issues

Self-medication, defined as the use of medication without medical consultation, is prevalent among women of reproductive age globally and presents notable heath concerns. This study assess the knowledge, practices and influencing factors of self-medication among women aged 15-49 in Uselu Community, Benin City, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were gathered from 323 respondents through a structured questionnaire, with findings analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 86.69% of respondents had prior knowledge of self-medication, often acquired from internet/social media, family, and friends. Despite this awareness, 95.67% had engaged in self-medication within the past year, primarily for minor ailments such as headaches, menstrual pain, and other minor ailments. Analgesics (41.17%) and antibiotics (39.32%) were the most commonly used drugs, with many respondents self-medicating frequently. Influential factors included financial constraints, convenience, ease of access to over-the-counter medications, and long wait times at healthcare facilities. Additionally, social and cultural factors played a role, as family influence and traditional beliefs often guided self-medication practices. This study highlights significant risks associated with this practice, including adverse drug reactions, potential for antimicrobial resistance, and complications in pregnancy, thereby underscoring the need for educational interventions.Recommendations include increasing awareness of the dangers of unsupervised medication use and strengthening regulatory frameworks to limit easy access to potentially harmful drugs. This research study contributes to public health by emphasizing the need for targeted health education and accessible healthcare services to mitigate the adverse effects of selfmedication within this demographic. Keywords: Self-medication, knowledge, women of reproductive age, Nigeria, practice

Background/Aim: Physical activity (PA) is vital for health promotion, yet its knowledge, ttitudes, and practices (KAP) remain sub-optimal among university students globally. his study aimed to assess the KAP of physical activity among undergraduate students at the University of Benin and explore barriers to their engagement. Methods: A descriptive ss-ectional study design was employed, and data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 398 undergraduate students. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a validated KAP tool were used to assess physical activity levels, knowledge, attitudes, and practices respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study revealed that 61% of participants had w knowledge of physical activity, while only 8.3% demonstrated high knowledge. Most articipants (73.1%) engaged in moderate activity, while 18.1% were inactive, and 8.8% engaged in high levels of physical activity. Misconceptions persisted, with 19.6% perceiving physical activity as potentially harmful. Lack of time (84.7%) and motivation 2.8%) ere the most reported barriers to engagement. Gender and academic level significantly influenced physical activity practices (p < 0.05), with male and lower-level students participating more actively. Conclusion: Knowledge and practices of physical activity among students were sub-optimal, with notable misconceptions and barriers influencing engagement. Targeted health education campaigns, accessible activity programs, and institutional support are essential to addressing these gaps and promoting physical activity among students.

Background: The prevalence of mental health disorders is on the rise, significantly impacting health, social dynamics, and human rights, and causing substantial consequences globally. Among these mental health challenges, depression stands out as a pervasive issue, especially affecting university students. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, prevalence, and influencing factors related to depression among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in South-South Nigeria. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted at the University of Benin, Nigeria, aimed to assess depression among full-time undergraduate students. Utilizing a multi- stage sampling technique, 460 students were selected. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographics, knowledge of depression, prevalence (using PHQ-9), and associated factors. Ethical considerations were addressed, including confidentiality measures. Results will contribute to understanding the prevalence of depression and associated factors among university students. Results: The ages of respondents were between 15-39 years and 269 (58.5%) of respondents were within the age group of 20-24 with the mean age being 23.5. More than half 253(55.0%) of the respondents were females while males constituted 207 (45.0%) of the respondents. Among the respondents, 104 (22.6%) were in 200L, 120 (26.1%) in 300L, 119 (25.6%) in 400L, 78 (17.0%) in 500L and 39 (8.5%) in 600L. Overall knowledge score for depression was good (66%). There was a significant relationship between knowledge of depression and study level (χ 2 =9.533, p=0.048) of the respondents. The prevalence of depression among the respondents was 239 (52%). The risk factors that were 1 significantly related were alcoholism, use of psychoactive drugs, heartbreak, sexual abuse, poor interpersonal relationships with colleagues, financial problems, and death of a loved one, as well as long stay in school, previous personal and family history of depression, and failed examinations. Conclusion: The knowledge of depression among undergraduates is notably high, with a disturbing prevalence, with risk factors ranging from environmental, socioeconomic, medical, psychological, academic, and familial factors.

Refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, constitute a significant public health concern affecting visual well-being of individuals as well as the academic performance of pupils. Uncorrected refractive error, the second most common cause of preventable blindness globally places a heavy burden on individuals and the society. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of refractive errors among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area (LGA). The study was carried out for a period of three month. A stratified random sampling method was used where students from the selected schools within Egor LGA were selected for the study. The sample size was 400 with a number of 151 females and 249 males. Data was collected using a well structured self-administered questionnaires. This questionnaire included demographic information and was further divided into three sections. The data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) was used to
summarize the variables. Continuous variables was expressed as the mean ± standard deviation for those that displayed normal distribution. A total of 400 students participated in the study between the ages of 11 to 19years (mean age 16.07± 1.320). Majority of the participants was male (249) while the remaining where females (151). The results showed that those who had good knowledge about refractive errors was about 52.3% while those who had good attitudes to refractive errors was 44% and who with good practice of refractive errors was just 17.5% of the
respondents. In conclusion, the knowledge about refractive error was fair, attitude towards refractive error was good but the practices towards refractive error was poor.

Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder affecting millions globally, remains heavily stigmatized in
many societies, including Nigeria. Cultural misconceptions often associate epilepsy with supernatural
causes, significantly affecting the social integration and quality of life of those affected. Nurses, as
frontline healthcare providers, play a pivotal role in shaping public attitudes and delivering informed
care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students at the University of
Benin toward epileptic patients and examine the implications for patients' social well-being. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. A total of 281 nursing students across 200 to 500 levels were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a structured, self administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of social impact. Results revealed that while a majority of students demonstrated good understanding of epilepsy as a brain disorder and expressed willingness to assist during seizures, gaps persisted in symptom recognition, treatment beliefs, and misconceptions about heredity and contagion. Attitudinal responses were mixed: most students supported inclusion and respect for epileptic patients, but hesitations were observed in sensitive areas like marriage and personal interaction. Notably, participants agreed that epilepsy impedes social experiences such as employment, education, and relationships. The study concludes that although nursing students exhibit moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes, pockets of misinformation and stigma remain. It is recommended that nursing curricula integrate targeted modules on epilepsy, combining theory with practical exposure, to reinforce accurate knowledge and empathetic patient care. Enhancing education and advocacy through formal training will better equip future nurses to support social inclusion and reduce stigma against people living with epilepsy

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with radiographers playing a crucial role in TB diagnosis through chest radiography. However, gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding TB among radiographers may compromise both diagnostic quality and infection control. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of radiographers towards TB cases in selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 43 radiographers from University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Lily Hospital, and Raytouch Diagnostic Center. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi- square tests (p<0.05). The majority of respondents (88.4%) demonstrated good knowledge of TB transmission, symptoms, causation, diagnosis, and prevention. Most participants (83.7%) exhibited positive attitudes toward TB patients, with 83.7% acknowledging professional duty to care for TB cases and 93% agreeing TB patients deserve equal care. However, practice levels were lower, with only 48.8% demonstrating good adherence to universal precautions, while 32.6% showed fair practice and 18.6% poor practice. No statistically significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and KAP levels (p>0.05). While radiographers in Benin City possess adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward TB, practice gaps exist in implementing universal precautions. Findings emphasize the need for continuous professional training, improved access to personal protective equipment, and strengthened infection control policies to enhance TB management and reduce occupational exposure risks.

This study was carried out to ascertained the knowledge, attitudes and family planning behaviours of men in Oluku community Ovia North East LGA, Benin City. To guide the, five (5) research questions were raised and three (3) hypotheses were formulated. Relevant literatures related to the study were reviewed with maximum attention to the with the subject of interest. The study was a descriptive research which adopted a survey research design with the population of five thousand, two hundred and sixty (5,260.) men in Oluku community, while 263 respondents made up the sample size carefully selected using simple random sampling technique. A self- constructed questionnaire, whose reliability was determined using test-retest method, was validated by the supervisor and used to collect relevant data for the study. The data were further analyzed using simple percentage, frequency counts, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and Chi-square statistical methods. The results were presented, interpreted and discussed by the researcher and findings were drawn. Following the findings, majority of the respondents (men in Oluku) have high knowledge of family planning. Furthermore, majority of the respondents had negative attitudes which were significantly related to their negative family planning behaviours. These were associated with low socio-economic status and religious factor which were proven to influence family planning behaviours of men. Hence, the researcher recommended that the government and relevant stakeholders should provide for functional institutions and health system which guarantees child survival and an improvement in the general level of education in the community as some men, especially in the rural areas, are scared of, and believe that non-use of family planning could help them to still have many children in case of child-mortality. This is key to enhancing knowledge, attitudes and family planning behaviours of men.

This study was designed to assess the knowledge and attitude of secondary school students towards sexually transmitted diseases in Oredo Local Government Area . To guide this study, four research questions were raised. The study was a descriptive research which adopted the survey research design . The population of the study was 9900 secondary students. The sampling techniques used was Stratified random Sampling. The sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 100 respondents representing 2% of the total population of secondary students in the selected secondary schools. The questionnaire was validated by three experts and split - half method was used to establish reliability of which it's coefficient was 0.83 ascertaining the reliability of the questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count , percentages and pearson product moment correlation ( PPMC). The findings revealed that the students are knowledgeable to an extent about Sexually transmitted diseases And the attitude of the secondary school students towards STDs is not encouraging. Sources of information on sexually transmitted disease from the parents, school, social media etc. The various risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases includes adolescents been made vulnerable at most, it can lead to infertility in both males and females etc. The types of STDs, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment of STDs. It was recommended that efforts should be made by parents, guardians to educate their children about sexually transmitted diseases, it should not be left only in the hands of school alone. And also the school‘s responsibility is to educate the students about the risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases, the consequences of increased sex partners. Abstinence should be talked about especially by a health teacher or an invited health personnel.

Despite the availability and effectiveness of vasectomy as a permanent method of male contraception, its acceptance remains low in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Misconceptions, cultural norms, and religious beliefs significantly hinder its uptake. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of vasectomy among male staff at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 278 male staff across different departments of UBTH. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret the results. The study revealed that only 41% of respondents had good knowledge of vasectomy, with a
grand mean score of 1.4, indicating a generally poor understanding. Attitudes were predominantly negative, with 56% expressing unfavourable views and a mean attitude score of 2.1. Acceptance of vasectomy was also low, as only 38% indicated willingness to consider the procedure. Cultural and religious beliefs, fear of complications, perceived threats to masculinity, and misinformation about the procedure were identified as major barriers to acceptance. Despite working in a healthcare setting, many respondents held misconceptions about vasectomy’s effects on sexual performance and health. The study found poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and low acceptance of vasectomy among male staff at UBTH. These findings underscore the persistence of cultural, religious, and psychological barriers even within educated, medically-inclined populations. Targeted health education interventions are urgently needed to dispel myths, address cultural concerns, and promote accurate information about vasectomy among healthcare workers. Empowering male staff with correct knowledge could enhance their role as advocates for male involvement in family planning.