YOUNG ADULTS

This study examined the function of social media as a tool for civic engagement among young adults in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, filling a research void in this rural demographic. Data were collected using a descriptive survey method through a structured questionnaire administered to a target population of young adults aged 18–35 years, yielding 138 analyzed
responses from a total of 150 distributed. The data revealed two significant findings: firstly, platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook are crucial, utilized daily by the majority of respondents for information sharing, awareness dissemination, and communication with government officials. Second, social media makes people much more aware of politics and gets people involved in their communities, but it is not very effective because of problems like slow internet speeds and the spread of false information. The study suggests that better internet infrastructure and media literacy training for young adults should be put in place to promote responsible and effective political participation.

This study examined sexual behavioural patterns and sexually transmitted infections among young adults in Edo South senatorial district of Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the age at first sexual intercourse of the young population ages 10-24 years, ascertain if any association exists between young population age at first sexual intercourse and religious belief, ascertain incidence of contract of sexually transmitted infections by the young adult population, observe the “health seeking’’ behavior of young adult population when infected with these sexually transmitted infections, and ascertain the extent of young adult population knowledge of HIV/AIDS’ transmission. A sample size of 800 was used for this study. The sample size were chosen bearing in mind the time, finance and feasibility of the study. Out of the 800 questionnaires that were sent out for the study, about 783 were fully completed. Information gathered from the questionnaire was coded and recorded on the spreadsheets. From here they were fielded into the computer for statistical analysis using the SPSS computer software. In all percentages and proportions, pie and bar charts were used for data interpretation. The
chi-square test of significance and F-ratio were used to test the hypotheses. Findings from the study reveals that a greater number of youth of ages (10-24) years of both sexes are engaged in schooling activities. The population of the youth increases with age. The youth comprises slightly more males than females. That they are more engaged at school indicates rising age at marriage. Thus there is reduced likelihood of early marriages and associated consequences. The full embrace of education by youth is of benefit to the individuals as well as to the Nation in thence of skilled man power development. The study then recommended that preventive programs should focus on developing positive attitude toward infected persons in a way that they are not discriminated against, reproductive health information, including STDs should be included in university curriculum in order to enhance student knowledge and attitude regarding STDs prevention, free HIV testing should be inculcated into the undergraduate students my management in order to be able to receive HIV testing without financial burden. This action may increase the rate of HIV testing among the student population and in turn reduce rates of transmission. It was also recommended that students’ sources of information should be increased in terms of mass media and health education regarding the spread of STDs on campus, and STDs prevention programme should be developed
and implemented by the university to promote changes in attitude in order to prevent the spread of STDs

Hypertension is a major global public health concern and the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite its preventable nature, awareness, perception, and control of hypertension remain suboptimal, especially among young adults in developing countries like Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of hypertension and its complications among young adults in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A total of 316 respondents aged 18–35 years were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured and validated Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with results presented in frequency tables and percentages. Findings revealed that 26.3% of respondents had poor knowledge of hypertension, 48.1% demonstrated fair knowledge, while 25.6% had good knowledge. Although most respondents recognized key risk factors such as obesity, stress, and salt intake, misconceptions persisted regarding the curability of hypertension and its risk among young people. Perception of hypertension was generally moderate, influenced by factors such as education level, lifestyle habits, and family history.

Lidocaine HCl 1.0%, is a local anaesthetic which is commonly used in the eye care profession during certain diagnostic tests and examinations to produce numbness or loss of sensation on or around the eye to aid certain diagnostic tests and procedures such as tonometry, pachymetry, gonioscopy, foreign body removal etc. It is also the drug of choice for certain ocular surgical procedures such as cataract surgery, pterygium excision, trabeculectomy and other procedures involving periocular structures. This study was carried out to examine and determine the effect of topical lidocaine HCl 1.0% on blink rate, tear stability and tear flow rate. This was an experimental study which was carried out on 36 randomly selected healthy young adults (18 males and 18 females) with mean age 22.61 ± 2.66 years, with no history of contact lens wear, ocular surface disorders, and current use of topical ocular medications. The blink rate, tear stability and tear flow rate of the various participants were obtained before and after the application of lidocaine HCl 1.0% ophthalmic solution. The blink rate per minute was measured with the use of a stopwatch, tear stability was determined through NonInvasive Tear Break Up Time (NITBUT) with a keratometer. The results obtained showed that the mean value of the blink rate, tear stability and tear flow rate decreased after the instillation of lidocaine. There was no significant relationship between gender and the value of the blink rate, tear stability and tear flow rate; there was also no significant relationship between age and the blink rate and tear flow rate but it was observed there was an inverse relationship between age and tear stability. Thus, the use of topical lidocaine HCl 1.0 % is safe for use in the eye care profession but screening for dry eye disease should be carried out before administration of this anaesthetic.