A.N. OFILI

Background: Balancing medical training, work, and personal life can be highly demanding and can be associated with burn out and increased stress and therefore requiring various balance and coping mechanisms to be employed by these students and these could include shorter sleep, modified learning methods, social isolation, and anxiety. Thus, this study examines the knowledge, perception, practice and implications of work-study-life balance among medical students at the University of Benin, with the aim of identifying gaps, understanding the challenges and informing strategies that can improve students’ ability to effectively balance academic, work and personal life commitments Objectives: To assess the knowledge, perception, practice and the implications of work- study-life balance among medical students in the University of Benin, Edo state, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 509 undergraduate medical students at the University of Benin from January 2025 to February 2026 to assess the knowledge, perception, practice of work-study-life balance among medical students and its possible impact on psychosocial and academic performance. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select participants. The minimum sample size was determined using the Cochran formula with a 10% non-response rate. Data was collected through a structured, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire that included two standard instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Work-study-life balance Scale (WSLBS), Coping strategies inventory, perceived stress scale (PSS). The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Results: A total of 509 respondents participated in the study and the response rate was 100%. There were 382 (75.0%) male respondents and 127 (25.0%) female respondents. The study showed that 377(74.1%) had good knowledge of work-study-life balance. The study revealed a significant association between age group and knowledge, χ² = 45.44, p < .001. There was a statistically significant association between employment status and overall perception, χ²= 6.49, p = .038. Majority (51.7%) assigned their current work-study-life balance a neutral rating of 3 on a 5-point scale. 73.9% proportion of the respondents reported that they do prioritize self-care. The biggest challenges respondents face in maintaining a work-study-life balance was a lack of free time, 365(71.7%). Demanding curriculum 338 (66.4%), followed by Clinical rotation hours, 240 (47.2%). Two hundred and twenty eight (44.8%) respondents had an Adaptive (Engagement Dominant) category, 194 (38.1%) had a Maladaptive (Disengagement Dominant) coping mechanism. 87 (17.1%) had a Mixed or Equal Use of coping styles. Majority (60.7%) were classified as experiencing Low Stress, while the remaining 39.3% were categorized as experiencing High Stress. 38.9% rated their sleep quality as Fair. followed by 32.2% who rated their sleep as Good and 17.8% as Very Good. A smaller minority rated their overall sleep quality as Poor (8.7%) or Very Poor (2.4%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that while a majority of undergraduate medical students at the University of Benin possess good knowledge of work–study–life balance, their perception of balance remains largely neutral and although a significant proportion of students employ adaptive coping mechanisms, a considerable number continue to rely on maladaptive strategies, which may predispose them to psychological distress. While most students reported low stress levels and relatively acceptable sleep quality, a clinically meaningful proportion experienced high stress and suboptimal sleep. Overall, the findings indicate that knowledge alone is insufficient to ensure healthy work– study–life balance. Practical institutional support systems, structured resilience training, mental health monitoring, and cultural shifts within medical education are essential to translate awareness into sustainable well-being practices.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical life-saving intervention for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or airway obstruction. Medical students, as future frontline healthcare providers, are expected to possess adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and competent practical skills in BLS. However, studies have reported deficiencies in these areas among medical students globally. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Basic Life Support among clinical medical students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 clinical medical students (400L to 600L) at the University of Benin. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies and based on the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 BLS guidelines. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge (13 items), attitude (7 items on a Likert scale), and practice (10 items) of BLS. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations between categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square test, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of good KAP. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 452 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved, yielding a 100% response rate. The mean age of respondents was 22.92 ± 2.74 years, and 59.5% were male. Overall, only 30.8% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of BLS, while 69.2% had poor knowledge. Knowledge improved significantly with academic level (p < 0.001), with 600-level students showing the highest proportion of good knowledge (43.6%). Female students had significantly better knowledge than males (p = 0.029). Regarding attitude, 78.5% of respondents demonstrated a good attitude towards BLS, while 21.5% exhibited a poor attitude. The majority (96.0%) agreed that BLS is necessary for medical students, and 91.4% supported its inclusion in the medical school curriculum. However, practice levels were markedly low, with 86.5% demonstrating poor practice. Only 13.5% had good practice scores. Mannequin training was significantly associated with better practice (p = 0.026). Major barriers to BLS acquisition and performance included limited availability of BLS training (68.8%), lack of practice opportunities (67.9%), fear of causing harm (56.9%), and fear of legal consequences (50.9%). Furthermore, 57.7% of respondents did not believe their medical school provided adequate BLS training, and 70.8% were uncomfortable using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Conclusion: This study revealed significant gaps in the knowledge and practice of BLS among clinical medical students at the University of Benin, despite a generally positive attitude towards its importance. The lack of formal training, inadequate hands-on practice with mannequins, and psychological barriers such as fear were identified as major hindrances.

Background: Inappropriate use of analgesics is becoming a serious public health problem in many
parts of the world with a number of factors contributing to this problem including unrestricted
access to drugs. Aim: To assess the pattern of analgesic use among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor L.G.A. Benin City, Edo State in order to contribute evidence for interventions/measures to curtail inappropriate practices.Methodology: This study was carried out among motor vehicle mechanics in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. A mixed method was employed-The quantitative part of the study
was Cross Sectional in nature to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of analgesic use
while Focused Group Discussions was used to validate findings. Results: Three hundred and seventeen respondents were enrolled into the study. Knowledge of analgesic was good in 43.2% of respondents. Secondary level of education showed to be a strong predictor of positive knowledge of analgesic use. Up to 57.4 % had a poor attitude to analgesic use while 30.3 % and 12.3 % had good and fair attitude respectively. Apprentices had a significantly more positive attitude and good knowledge of analgesics was a strong predictor of good attitude towards analgesic use. There was a high (84.2%) occurrence of self-prescription and the commonest indications for self-prescription were body pain and headaches with paracetamol being the most common analgesic taken by self-prescription. Inappropriate dosing was observed in 77.9 % and their main sources were pharmacies and chemists. This study showed various forms of misuse, adverse effects and features of addition and dependence were also reported. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of analgesics is still a problem in Egor L.G.A of Edo State and Health education will go a long way to address this problem. Key words: Analgesic, Misuse, Abuse, Motor Mechanics

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobinopathies are the commonest inherited genetic disorders worldwide. Sickle cell disorders were discovered by Dr J.B Herrick in 1904. There are some hopes for a definitive cure for sickle cell disorders in the form of stem cell transplantation. However premarital screening for intending couples seem to be an important primary preventive method. Pre-marital medical screening is a panel of tests that couples preparing to get married undertake so as to detect any genetic or infectious disease that may be transmitted to each other of their offspring. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to add to the existing body of knowledge on sickle cell disorder and to access the knowledge, attitude and practice of premarital screening for sickle cell disorder among students of University of Benin. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 393 students using multi- stage sampling technique from six selected faculties (Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Education, Management Sciences, Law, Pharmacy.) from the 13 faculties in the University. The time duration of this study spanned from August 2019 to June 2021. Data was collected using an self-administered questionnaire. Data was obtained and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics. Level of significance was set at 5%.

Background: Plastic pollution is considered a global issue, with all environments currently being contaminated by plastics. Therefore understanding the dynamics of plastic pollution is essential for fostering sustainable behaviors. The study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of undergraduate students at the University of Benin regarding plastic pollution. Findings aim to inform targeted educational interventions and policy recommendations to enhance environmental stewardship among the youth, ultimately contributing to broader sustainability efforts.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of plastic pollution amongst undergraduate students of the University of Benin with a view to bring about a reduction in plastic pollution.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among university students in Benin City from May 2023 to September 2024. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 520 participants for the study. Data was collected from respondents using a structured, self-administered questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was adapted from the University of Sharjah online survey questionnaire on plastic pollution. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).Results: A total of 520 out of 520 questionnaires administered were retrieved and analyzed, giving a response rate of 100.0%. There were 278 (53.5%) male respondents and 242 (46.5%) female respondents with an average age of 21.28 ± 3.91 years. The study revealed that most 474 (91.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution. Those who were not studying medicine and those who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were the statistically significant determinants of knowledge of plastic pollution. Respondents who were not studying medicine were 0.270 times less likely to have good knowledge of plastic pollution than those who were studying medicine (OR = 0.270, 95% CI = 0.125 – 0.582, p = < 0.001). Respondents who reside in private residences (on and off campus) were 0.431 times less likely to have good knowledge as against those who reside in hostels (on and off campus) (OR = 0.431, 95% CI = 0.225 – 0.823, p = 0.011). The majority of the respondents, 501 (96.3%), had an overall positive attitude toward plastic pollution. Those aged 35 - 44 and those in 300 level had the highest proportion of respondents with a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. The majority of them, 428 (82.3%), had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution. Sex, department, and knowledge of plastic pollution were the statistically significant determinants of practice relating to plastic pollution. Male respondents were 0.518 times less likely to have appropriate practices than female respondents (OR = 0.518, 95% CI = 0.316 – 0.849, p = 0.009). Respondents who were not studying medicine were 2.390 times more likely to have appropriate practices than those who were studying medicine (OR = 2.390, 95% CI = 1.188 –4.809, p = 0.015). Respondents who had good knowledge of plastic pollution were 2.280 timesmore likely to have appropriate practices than those who had poor knowledge (OR = 2.280,
95% CI = 1.098 – 4.734, p = 0.027).
Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge of plastic pollution and a positive attitude toward plastic pollution. There was a large majority that had appropriate practice toward plastic pollution.