KNOWLEDGE

The preceptorship programme was an intervention to increase the knowledge of Lassa fever prevention among health workers and patients in lily hospital at Oredo Local Government Area, Benin city, Edo State. Nigeria On getting approval from the department to carry out the preceptorship programmed in lily hospital, the researcher moved to the preceptorship programmed area. The researcher got an introductory letter from the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education, University of Benin which was submitted to the chief medical officer at lily hospital and was approved by the director

Background: Nigeria requires more physiotherapists and specialized training to improve care quality. A mandatory one-year internship bridges the gap between education and practice, enhancing skills and confidence.The quality of internship training, including supervision, learning opportunities, and a supportive environment, plays a crucial role in influencing interns’ satisfaction and their specialization choices. Aim: The aim and purpose of this research is to explore physiotherapy interns’ knowledge perceptions, and attitude towards specializing in neurophysiotherapy in south-south, Nigeria Methods: The study employs a cross-sectional design using a proportionate sampling technique, with a calculated sample size of 126 physiotherapy interns distributed across seven hospitals in South-South Nigeria.Data collection will be conducted through a self-adapted questionnaire divided into four sections: socio-demographic information, knowledge, perception, and attitude towards specializing in neurophysiotherapy.Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics and inferential tools, such as chi-square tests, using SPSS version 22 at a 0.05 significance level. Result: The study revealed that most participants were male (68.2%), over 30 years old (59.1%), single (93.2%), and Christian (81.8%). A majority of interns (81.1%) rated their knowledge of neurophysiotherapy and its components as "good" or "very good," with all identifying key neurological conditions suitable for rehabilitation. Exposure to neurology units (75.8%) and treatment modalities (72.7%) significantly influenced their decision to specialize, though many (76.5%) found neurophysiotherapy challenging. Overall, interns expressed curiosity (79.6%) and a willingness to enhance their knowledge through clinical experiences. Conclusion: The findings showed that most interns had strong foundational knowledge of neurophysiotherapy, with high confidence in their ability to specialize. However, challenges and uncertainties about managing neurological conditions persisted. Despite this, participants maintained a positive attitude and perception toward specializing in neurophysiotherapy

Obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat to levels that pose significant health risks. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude regarding diet promotion strategies in the prevention of obesity among nursing students at the University of Benin, Edo State. The research was guided by three objectives and corresponding research questions.The target population comprised nursing students from 200 to 500 levels, and a sample of 282 participants was selected using a simple random sampling technique.Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages.Findings revealed that most respondents possessed adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward diet promotion strategies for obesity prevention. Specifically, 99.4% of participants were aware that obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, while 96.8% demonstrated a favorable attitude toward maintaining healthy eating habits. However, the practical application of this knowledge was found to be inconsistent. The study concludes that continuous health education is essential to strengthen nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding obesity prevention. It recommends that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria incorporate comprehensive concepts on diet promotion strategies, obesity prevention, and nutrition-related interventions into the nursing curriculum to enhance
students’ competencies as future health educators and advocates

Background: Telepharmacy, the provision of pharmaceutical care through telecommunication and digital technologies has emerged as a transformative innovation for improving access to pharmacy services, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. In Nigeria, the concept remains relatively new, and community pharmacists play a central role in its successful implementation. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions is therefore essential for advancing digital healthcare integration. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, toward telepharmacy and identified potential barriers to its adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community pharmacists practicing in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 188 questionnaires were distributed using a convenience sampling technique during professional meetings and on-site pharmacy visits. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering four domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, attitude, and perceived challenges related to telepharmacy. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarized responses, while Chi-square tests determined associations between variables at a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 188 distributed questionnaires, 179 were returned and analysed. Most respondents were male (75.3%), aged 31–40 years (51.1%) and held a B.Pharm degree (57.9%). Knowledge of telepharmacy was generally high: 93.3% acknowledged its availability in Nigeria, and 98.3% agreed it played an important role during global health crises. Perception toward telepharmacy was positive. Attitudinal responses were similarly favourable, with 82.6% expressing willingness to adopt telepharmacy in practice and 87.1% believing it would improve pharmaceutical care in Benin City. However, major challenges identified included poor internet connectivity (96.1%), limited patient digital literacy (84.3%), lack of training (76.4%), high installation cost (68.0%), and patients’ unwillingness to pay for services (62.4%). Years of experience were significantly associated with knowledge level (p = 0.026), while gender influenced perception (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The study revealed high awareness and positive attitudes toward telepharmacy among community pharmacists in Benin City, reflecting readiness to integrate digital technologies into pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, infrastructural and economic barriers particularly unreliable internet services, inadequate training, and low patient acceptance remain critical obstacles. Strengthening ICT infrastructure, developing national telepharmacy guidelines, and providing continuous professional training are necessary steps toward sustainable telepharmacy adoption in Nigeria.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, with nearly 90% of new cases and related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer prevention among female students in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Benin, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was utilized, and 315 participants were selected through a proportionate stratified random sampling approach.Findings showed that the respondents possessed a moderate level of knowledge about cervical cancer, particularly regarding its definition, modes of prevention, and transmission. Although attitudes toward screening and preventive measures were largely positive, many students reported not engaging in any form of preventive practice. The study also established a statistically significant association between students’ knowledge levels and their preventive practices (χ² = 31.17, p < 0.0001).Overall, the results underscore the need for focused educational strategies aimed at improving young women's awareness, attitudes, and engagement in cervical cancer prevention activities.

One of the most prevalent gynaecological issues affecting teenage females, especially those enrolled in secondary schools, is dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation. In this study, female students in a subset of secondary schools in Edo State, Nigeria's Ovia North-East Local Government Area were asked about their knowledge of and approaches to managing dysmenorrhea. A total of 254 female students from SS1 to SS3 were chosen using a stratified random sampling procedure as part of a cross-sectional descriptive research design. A systematic self-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data, and the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that just 27.9% of respondents had ever heard of dysmenorrhea, showing a lack of knowledge about the disorder, while 78.7% of respondents reported experiencing menstrual pain.Many students reported absence and decreased academic concentration during their periods, and moderate to severe discomfort was highly prevalent. The majority of pain management was self-directed, with 32.3% relaxing or sleeping to relieve pain, 29.1% using heat therapy, and 34.6% regularly using over-the-counter medications. Only 2%, nevertheless, went to school clinics for medical assistance. The management strategies used and awareness of dysmenorrhea were found to be significantly correlated by the Chi-square analysis (p = 0.03). Although dysmenorrhea is very common among girls in secondary school, the study found that there is still a lack of awareness and proper treatment. It suggests enhancing access to adolescent-friendly health facilities, addressing sociocultural barriers to obtaining professional treatment, and integrating menstrual health education into school curricula.

This study assessed the knowledge of healthcare workers on the dangers associated with medical waste management in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. The objectives were to determine healthcare workers’ knowledge of the dangers of medical waste, safe handling and disposal procedures, waste management practices, the relationship between knowledge and practice, and the extent to which demographic variables influence knowledge levels. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 205 healthcare workers, and a purposive sample of 144 respondents directly involved in medical waste handling was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by experts, and reliability was established using the split-half method with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.742. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson ProductMoment Correlation and chi-square. Findings revealed that healthcare workers had high knowledge of the dangers associated with medical waste and substantial knowledge of safe handling and disposal procedures. Respondents also demonstrated strong understanding of waste management practices. A significant positive relationship was found between knowledge and waste management practices (r = 0.684, p < 0.001). The study concludes that knowledge plays a critical role in promoting safe waste management behaviors. It recommends continuous training, strict enforcement of waste management policies, adequate provision of PPE, and improved supervision in healthcare facilities

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age globally, yet a significant proportion remains undiagnosed due to insufficient baseline knowledge regarding its causes and symptoms. This lack of awareness contributes to delayed medical attention and progression of the disease, leading to serious long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, and endometrial cancer. Studies in Nigeria indicate particularly low awareness levels, underscoring a critical public health challenge.
Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the knowledge and awareness of the causes, symptoms, and long-term complications and determinants of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among female undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria with a view to generate evidence that will guide the design of tailored strategies aimed at increasing awareness and strengthen healthcare delivery. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, targeting female undergraduate students at the University of Benin. Data collection occurred between April 2024 and June 2025. A sample size of 415 respondents was determined using Cochran's formula and a 10% non-response adjustment. A multi-stage sampling technique involved the simple random selection of the Ugbowo campus, followed by the random selection of eight faculties. Information was collected using a 29-item structured questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS V 25.0 to generate percentages and frequencies.
Results: Over half of the respondents (54%) reported having heard of PCOS, with approximately twothirds (60.7%) demonstrating good baseline knowledge of its causes and symptoms, while one-third (39.3%) exhibited poor knowledge. Abnormal menstruation (40.7%) was identified as the most common symptom, overproduction of hormones (36.9%) and genetics (35.4%) were frequently cited causes. Drugs (46.7%) was perceived as the most effective treatments. Regarding awareness of complications, 46.4% showed good awareness, while 53.6% lacked sufficient awareness particularly concerning infertility. Social media (especially TikTok and WhatsApp at 42.9% and 21.0% respectively) was the primary source of PCOS, followed by medical professionals. The key predictors of good knowledge included being in a medical related field like Medicine (OR = 0.033, p = 0.001) and a higher monthly allowance above N20,000. N20,000 – N50,000 (OR = 0.379, p = 0.002) and N51,000 – N100,000 (OR = 0.059, p <0.001).
Conclusion: The study revealed moderate knowledge but a significant gap in awareness regarding PCOS complications among female university students, compounded by reliance on non-medical information sources and prevalent misconceptions. Academic background and socioeconomic status were influential factors in knowledge levels. These findings necessitate targeted public health interventions, including integrating comprehensive PCOS education into university curricula, launching official social media campaigns led by healthcare professionals, organizing workshops, encouraging routine health screenings, and promoting mental health support services for affected individuals

This study investigated the knowledge, utilization, and factors affecting the use of mobile technology for knowledge update among nurses in selected secondary health care facilities in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. The study aimed to determine the level of nurses’ knowledge of mobile technology, their extent of utilization, and the factors influencing its use for professional knowledge update. Three research questions were raised, and one hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 202 registered nurses from two selected secondary health care institutions in Benin City, from which a sample size of 148 respondents was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula and convenience sampling method. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and validated by experts in nursing and research methodology, while a pilot study yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, and chi square tests. The findings revealed that most respondents possessed an average level of knowledge of mobile technology and demonstrated moderate utilization, primarily for professional and general knowledge updates. Major factors influencing use included lack of appropriate mobile devices, unreliable network connectivity, long login times, and heavy workload. The study concluded that mobile technology plays a significant role in improving nurses’ access to up-to-date knowledge but its utilization is hindered by infrastructural and institutional challenges. It was recommended that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria integrate mobile technology into continuing education programs and that healthcare institutions improve technological access and support for nurses

Hand hygiene is a key component of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies, proven to significantly reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and improve patient safety. Despite this, compliance with hand hygiene protocols among healthcare workers
(HCWs) in many healthcare facilities remains suboptimal. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, compliance, and determinants influencing hand hygiene practice among healthcare workers in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. The sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula for descriptive studies. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized for the study. Data were collected using a structured self- administered questionnaire adapted from WHO hand hygiene tools, the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale (HHBS), and WHO ward infrastructure checklist. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, means, and percentages, while inferential statistics including Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to determine associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 460 respondents participated in the study, with a mean age of 31.9 ± 7.7 years; 247 (53.7%) were females and 213 (46.3%) males. Almost all participants (457 [99.3%]) were aware of hand hygiene, and 359 (78.0%) had received formal training within the previous three years. However, only 170 (37.0%) demonstrated good knowledge, while 290 (63.0%) had poor knowledge. A positive attitude toward hand hygiene was observed in 349 (75.9%) respondents, yet only 210 (45.7%) demonstrated satisfactory compliance with the WHO’s Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. Nurses (185 [40.2%]) recorded the highest compliance rates compared with other cadres. Marital status (p = 0.033), profession (p = 0.027), and monthly income (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with knowledge. Logistic regression showed that being unmarried (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.36-3.94; p = 0.002), female (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.05-2.51; p = 0.031), and of the nursing profession (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.17-5.53; p = 0.019) independently predicted good knowledge. Facility assessment revealed inadequate availability of alcohol-based hand rubs (62 [13.5%]), inconsistent running-water supply, and incomplete handwashing infrastructure in several
wards. CONCLUSION: About a third of the health workers demonstrated good knowledge of hand hygiene, with marital status and profession identified as significant predictors. Half exhibited a positive attitude, which was associated with female gender, single marital status, paramedical profession, and longer years of practice. Approximately two-thirds were compliant with hand
hygiene practices, with nurses showing the highest compliance rates. Awareness of guidelines, understanding the importance of hand hygiene, and belief in its role in preventing infections were key facilitators, while only a third of the wards had adequate infrastructure to support and sustain proper hand hygiene practices.