ABUSE

Workplace abuse of nurses by patients and their relatives is a growing concern, affecting job performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This study assessed the factors influencing the abuse of nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Ugbowo, Benin City. The study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and contributing factors of abuse experienced by nurses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 258 nurses selected through a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and 251 responses were deemed valid, giving a response rate of 97.2%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with results presented in tables and figures. The study found that verbal abuse was the most common form of abuse, experienced by 71% of respondents. Other reported forms of abuse included emotional distress (59%), workplace bullying (53%), and rude or dismissive behavior (66%). Physical assault (37%), unwanted sexual harassment (42%), and stalking (31%) were less frequently reported. Factors contributing to abuse included patient frustration due to delayed medical attention (mean = 3.1), lack of understanding of hospital policies (mean = 3.0), and emotional distress of patient relatives (mean = 3.2). Patients with psychiatric conditions, those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and those with severe pain were more likely to abuse nurses. Abuse of nurses in UBTH is prevalent, with verbal and emotional abuse being the most reported. Factors such as patient frustration, unrealistic expectations, and poor communication contribute to these incidents. There is a need for hospital management to implement stricter policies against abuse, provide conflict resolution training for nurses, and improve communication between healthcare workers and patients’ relatives. Additionally, security measures should be strengthened to ensure a safer work environment for nurses.

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a serious and persistent problem in Nigeria, deeply rooted in social, cultural, and legal contexts. Despite existing laws and institutions designed to protect victims, IPA continues to affect countless individuals, particularly women, revealing significant gaps between legal provisions and their implementation. This study examines Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for addressing IPA, considering both domestic laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and international and regional instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Comparative insights from other countries’ approaches to IPA are also explored to identify best practices and lessons for Nigeria. The research highlights persistent challenges, such as weak enforcement, inadequate coordination among institutions, limited victim support services, and societal stigma, all of which undermine the effectiveness of legal protections. Through case studies, including the widely publicized Osinachi Nwachukwu case, the study illustrates the real-life consequences of these systemic weaknesses and the urgent need for reform. The findings suggest that addressing IPA in Nigeria requires more than legislation; it demands public education, capacity building for law enforcement and the judiciary, community engagement to challenge harmful gender norms, and enhanced support services for survivors. By situating Nigeria’s experience within the broader international context, the study demonstrates that meaningful progress against IPA depends on a combination of legal, institutional, and cultural interventions. The research concludes with practical recommendations aimed at strengthening both protection and prevention measures, ensuring that victims receive justice, and fostering a society where intimate partner abuse is no longer tolerated.

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of drug use and abuse among student of the University of Benin. A drug is any chemical substance derived from plants, animals or mineral resources, be it traditional or orthodox which is used for internal application to the human body in the treatment of diseases, reduction of pain or to modify the functions of the various systems of the body. Drug abuse is a situation where people use drugs without survey prescription of medical practitioners. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents were derived through the sampling technique from the total population of 33,342 students of the University of Benin. The research adopted questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The research findings showed that more then two-third of students knew what drug abuse was, and indulged in it due to a variety of reasons like pressure and curiously. However a considerable proportion of respondents reported their un-involvement in drug abuse. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students should be health educated on the dangers of drug abuse by organizing seminars and workshops. In addition, the mass media should help in curbing the menace by organizing health programs on radio and television. There should be wide campaigns against drug abuse by NGOs.