TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Occupational health aims to promote and maintain the highest level of physical, mental, and social well-being among workers, including healthcare workers (HCWs), who face significant workplace risks. Despite being the backbone of any health system, HCWs are frequently exposed to hazards such as needle stick injuries, infections, back injuries, and stress, often prioritizing patient care over their own well-being. Protecting the health of HCWs not only safeguards their welfare but also enhances the quality of patient care and strengthens healthcare systems. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), pose a significant risk to HCWs due to the physical demands of their work, including heavy lifting and awkward postures. Preventing WRMSDs requires the application of ergonomic principles, such as proper workspace design, the use of assistive devices, and maintaining correct posture during tasks. Ergonomic interventions can reduce the risk of MSDs, improve safety, and enhance job performance, benefiting both healthcare workers and the patients they serve. Objectives: The study was carried out to investigate the types and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic risk factors and coping strategies adopted by healthcare workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 329 healthcare workers using a stratified random sampling technique for selection. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Version 27.0.1 software utilizing univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.

This study explored the roles of social workers in hospital settings with a specific focus on the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The increasing complexities of patients' biopsychosocial needs in modern healthcare systems necessitate a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, of which social work plays a critical role. The study adopted a case study research design comprising both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) data collection methods to explore the various roles undertaken by social workers within the hospital setting. Specifically, the research investigated how social workers contribute to patient care, psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, mental health support, advocacy, and policy development in the hospital environment. A total of 131 questionnaires were distributed to healthcare professionals and patients, while 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with practicing social workers at UBTH. Findings revealed that social workers are pivotal in bridging the gap between the medical and psychosocial needs of patients, advocating for patient rights, coordinating care plans, and providing emotional and psychological support to both patients and their families. Challenges such as limited recognition, understaffing, and poor working conditions were also identified. The study concluded with recommendations aimed at improving the visibility, support, and operational environment for hospital social workers in Nigeria. Keywords: Social work, social worker, hospital setting, patient care, inter-professional collaboration.

awareness among patients is often limited, particularly in low­ and middle­income countries. In Nigeria, many individuals misattribute psychiatric symptoms to stress, spiritual causes, or ordinary life difficulties, resulting in delayed presentation, poor treatment adherence, and worsened outcomes. Doctors’ perspectives are vital in assessing the extent of patients’ awareness and identifying barriers to care. Objective: This study assessed doctors’ perspectives on the level of patients’ awareness of mental health challenges at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria, and explored perceived barriers, consequences, and strategies for improvement. Methods: A descriptive cross­sectional study was conducted among doctors at UBTH using a structured, self­administered questionnaire. Data collected included socio­demographics, perceptions of patients’ awareness, barriers, and suggested interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented in prose, tables, and charts. Results: Most doctors perceived patients’ awareness of mental health challenges to be low to moderate, with only a small proportion demonstrating good awareness of common conditions such as depression and anxiety. Patients often misattributed symptoms to stress or spiritual problems, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Stigma (reported by over two­thirds of respondents), cultural and religious beliefs, low literacy, and weak health system capacity were identified as major barriers. Doctors noted that poor awareness contributed to late presentation, misdiagnosis, treatment non­adherence, and frequent relapses. Suggested strategies included integrating mental health education into routine consultations, strengthening community outreach, collaborating with religious and cultural leaders, expanding training for healthcare providers, and implementing hospital­based and national awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Doctors at UBTH perceive patients’ awareness of mental health challenges as inadequate, with significant consequences for timely diagnosis, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. Stigma and sociocultural misconceptions remain key barriers. Targeted interventions—including patient education, anti­stigma programs, and community engagement— are urgently needed to improve awareness and enhance mental health care delivery.

This study investigates the influence of menopause on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in menopausal women attending the Consultant Outpatient Department at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Nigeria. Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disorder, disproportionately affects women, with hormonal changes during menopause potentially exacerbating disease activity. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of RA among menopausal women, examine the perceived impact of menopause on RA symptoms, evaluate changes in disease progression post-menopause, and identify coping strategies for symptom management. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 144 menopausal women diagnosed with RA using a structured questionnaire. Convenience sampling was utilized, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0, incorporating descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square tests). Results revealed that 70.8% of respondents were menopausal at the time of RA diagnosis, with 83.3%
reporting a formal RA diagnosis. Menopause was significantly associated with worsened joint pain (mean score = 4.64), increased stiffness, and heightened fatigue. A strong correlation (p = 0.000) was observed between menopausal status and RA diagnosis. Common coping strategies included dietary adjustments (mean = 4.34) and seeking emotional support
(mean = 4.33). The study concludes that menopause significantly exacerbates RA severity and symptom progression, highlighting the need for integrated healthcare strategies that address both hormonal changes and RA management. Recommendations include improving patient-provider communication, developing tailored treatment plans, and further research into the biological mechanisms linking menopause and RA

Hospital wastewater is a significant reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains, posing serious public health and environmental risks. This study investigates the bacteriological analysis of wastewater samples collected from different wards at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of four wastewater amples were obtained from different drainage outlets using sterile 500 mL glass bottles and transported under cold conditions to the Microbiology Laboratory of the University of Benin for analysis. The Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) varied across the sampled wards, with the highest bacterial load recorded in the laundry department (8.00 ± 0.05 × 10⁴ log₁₀ cfu/mL) and the lowest in the eye clinic (3.12 ± 0.23 × 10⁴ log₁₀ cfu/mL). Morphological, biochemical, and cultural analyses identified multiple bacterial species, including Salmonella sp., Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Klebsiella sp. Among these, Staphylococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were the most widely distributed, occurring in all sampled wards, while the eye clinic exhibited the lowest bacterial diversity. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance patterns among bacterial isolates, with Pseudomonas sp. displaying the highest resistance to multiple antibiotics such as Levofloxacin, Cefotaxime, Amoxicillin, and Azithromycin. Among Gram￾ix positive bacteria, Staphylococcus sp. exhibited the highest resistance, particularly to Rocephin and Erythromycin. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged from 0.20 (Klebsiella sp. and Bacillus sp.) to 0.70 (Pseudomonas sp.), indicating substantial resistance to antibiotics. The findings highlight the potential health risks associated with hospital wastewater discharge and underscore the need for improved wastewater treatment practices to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study provides valuable data for hospital infection control and public health policies in Nigeria.

This study investigated factors influencing undergraduate nursing students perception of their clinical learning environment (CLE). The study assessed the knowledge and attitude of nursing students towards CLE and factors influencing students’ attitude of CLE. The population of the study comprised of three hundred and sixteen (316) students in the department of Nursing Science. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. A representative sample of 195 respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument was established to be 0.79. Analysis of data was carried out using frequency count, simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results showed that students had positive attitude (mean score of 3.20) and high knowledge (67.2%) of their CLE. Effective supervision and assessment, active participation during ward rounds, integration of theory into practice, lack of self-confidence, communication between nursing staff and students and intellectual abilities of students were identified as factors that influence students’ utilization of CLE. However, receptiveness of nursing staffs in the ward and difficulties in orientation for clinical teaching were observed not to significantly influence students’ attitude of CLE. Furthermore, it was indicated that there exists a significant relationship between attitude of nursing students towards their CLE and students’ level of study at 0.05 level of significance. The study therefore concluded that the CLE is an important avenue for students to develop their professional skills and at such must show commitment. It was recommended that clinical instructors must sustain effective supervision and assessment of nursing students on clinical placement, nursing students should ensure they develop a strong commitment towards learning in the clinical environment by asking questions about procedures not clearly understood and curriculum planners in nursing science should ensure that instructions in clinical learning are constantly improved upon