UNDERGRADUATES

This study assesses the knowledge and attitude towards the use of eco-friendly menstrual products among female undergraduates in Benin City. Three research questions were raised to guide this study. The survey research design was adopted for this study; this is because the data was collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. The population of the study comprised 43,679 undergraduates from the University of
Benin. Out of this population, 273 students were selected as the sample, representing those who completed and returned the questionnaire. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a 15-item self-structured questionnaire. The instrument for the data collection was personally administered by the researcher to the respondents. The findings of this study concluded that female undergraduates at the University of Benin
have a good understanding of eco-friendly menstrual products and hold generally positive attitudes toward their use. However, these positive dispositions alone do not guarantee widespread adoption, as barriers such as limited availability, high cost, fear of infection, and socio-cultural norms hinder practical use. The study recommends that the university of Benin and relevant student bodies should promote awareness campaigns on eco-friendly menstrual products, highlighting proper usage, safety, hygiene, and environmental benefits. The study also recommends that efforts should be made to increase accessibility and affordability of eco-friendly menstrual products on campus through subsidized sales, partnerships with vendors, and student-led initiatives.

This study examined the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Three research questions guided the study, and relevant literature was reviewed to provide a conceptual foundation. A
descriptive survey design was adopted, with a study population of 40,318 students for the 2024/2025 academic session. A purposive sample of 308 undergraduates participated in the study. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire
validated by experts in Health, Safety, and Environmental Education, while reliability was established using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). Out of the 308 questionnaires administered, all were retrieved and analyzed using
mean, standard deviation, frequency counts, and percentages. Findings revealed that respondents possessed adequate knowledge of oral hygiene principles and benefits. However, the level of oral hygiene practice among students was moderate, suggesting a gap between knowledge and consistent practice. Personal motivation and awareness were identified as major influences on oral hygiene behavior, while economic, cultural, and institutional factors had minimal impact. The study concludes that although students demonstrate good knowledge and some positive oral health habits, there is a need to strengthen consistent preventive practices. It recommends sustained oral health education, improved access to dental care materials, and enhanced awareness campaigns to promote long-term oral hygiene behaviors among undergraduates.

Background: Social media addiction is a behavioural problem characterised by excessive, poorly controlled use of social media platforms that interferes with daily functioning and is associated with depression, anxiety, stress and reduced productivity among university students. It is common in young adults and is linked to long daily usage, night-time use and other behavioural patterns that worsen mental-health outcomes. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, prevalence, patterns of social media addiction and its association with the mental health status of undergraduates in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 548 undergraduates of the University of Benin selected using a multi-stage (proportionate stratified + systematic) sampling technique. Data were collected with a pre-tested, self- administered questionnaire (sociodemographics, knowledge and attitude sections) and standardised scales, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) for addiction risk and the DASS-21 for depression, anxiety and stress. Data were presented in frequency tables and analysed using bivariate (χ²) tests and multivariable logistic regression; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.5 ± 2.9 years and 306 (55.8%) were females. Awareness of social media addiction was high (519, 94.7%). Majority had good knowledge of social media addiction (395, 76.1%) and a positive attitude towards it (396, 72.1%). By BSMAS grading, 127 (23.2%) were low-risk, 349 (63.7%) moderate-risk and 72 (13.1%) high-risk for social media addiction (social media addiction present = 72/548, 13.1%). On DASS-21 grading, 136 (24.8%) had d pression, 163 (29.7%) had anxiety, and 44 (8.0%) had stress; overall 200 (36.5%) were classified as having poor mental health while 348 (63.5%) xii had good mental health. Respondents with a positive attitude were more likely to have poor mental health (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.382–3.734, p = 0.001) and respondents with social media addiction were substantially more likely to have poor mental health than those without (OR = 10.30, 95% CI = 5.337–19.914, p < 0.001). Social media addiction was also a strong predictor of specific outcomes anxiety (OR = 4.121, 95% CI = 2.324–7.305, p < 0.001) and stress (OR = 12.669, 95% CI = 5.386–29.804, p < 0.001). Other factors (monthly allowance, knowledge level, average daily hours and time of day of use) were associated with addiction risk and mental-health outcomes in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of social media addiction were high among UNIBEN undergraduates, but about one in eight students met high-risk criteria for social media addiction and over one-third had poor overall mental health. Social media addiction together with attitude, knowledge and usage patterns was a strong predictor of poorer mental- health outcomes (depression, anxiety and stress). Interventions to improve digital-wellness (education on healthy use, time-management, sleep hygiene and targeted counselling) are recommended.

The study examined effects of drug abuse on the health status of undergraduates in university of Benin. Four research questions were raised; What is the prevalence of drug abuse among undergraduates at the University of Benin? What are the most commonly abused types of drugs among undergraduates at the University of Benin? How does drug abuse impact the physical and mental health status of undergraduates at the University of Benin? What factors contribute to drug abuse among undergraduates, and what interventions can be implemented to address the issue? The target population for this study includes 400 level undergraduate students in the department of Health safety and Environmental Education in faculty of Education University of Benin. The study made use of descriptive survey research design. The researcher constructed a questionnaire that was used to obtain responses from the respondents. The findings in the study revealed; A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that 62% of undergraduate students who used drugs in the University of Benin reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Research conducted by the University of Benin's Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology found that students who used drugs regularly showed significant impairment in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. The study recommends that; There should be increased awareness campaigns and educational programs to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse, its effects on mental and physical health, and the importance of seeking help if they are struggling with addiction. There should be stricter penalties and punishments for students who are caught using or possessing drugs, in order to deter others from engaging in this behavior.