UNDERGRADUATES

Background: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, with an increasing incidence in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Early recognition and appropriate response to stroke symptoms are critical to improving outcomes. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a vital role in promoting stroke awareness and emergency response. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate emergency responses among clinical undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A structured, self- administered questionnaire was distributed to 322 clinical undergraduates selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a generally high level of stroke awareness among respondents. Most participants (94.1%) correctly identified the brain as the organ affected by stroke, and 98.4% recognized that stroke is preventable. Hypertension (77.0%), old age (73.3%), and diabetes were the most frequently identified risk factors. Paralysis of one side of the body (78.6%) and speech difficulty (77.3%) were the most recognized warning signs. A significant association existed between level of study and knowledge of stroke risk factors (p = 0.035) and between gender and planned response to stroke events (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin demonstrated commendable theoretical knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, and warning signs. However, gaps remain in the understanding of lifestyle-related risk factors and practical emergency response.

BACKGROUND
Sexual coercion among undergraduate students is a significant public health issue affecting physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and factors influencing sexual coercion among undergraduate students in selected universities in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 509 undergraduate students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City. A structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES), the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA), and the WHO sexual violence framework was used for data collection. Multi-stage sampling was employed. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0 at a 95% confidence interval, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age of respondents was 21.5 ± 3.2 years; 269/509 (52.8%) were female and 240/509 (47.2%) were male. Regarding knowledge of sexual coercion (n=398), 310/398 (78.0%) had good knowledge while 88/398 (22.0%) had poor knowledge. The majority of respondents, 416/509 (81.7%), held a negative (unfavourable) attitude towards sexual coercion, while 93/509 (18.3%) held a positive (accepting) attitude. The lifetime prevalence of sexual coercion was 244/509 (47.9%). The most common forms were unwanted touching (158/509, 31.0%), transactional coercion (promises of money, gifts, or grades for sex; 90/509, 17.7%), threat of breakup for sex (72/509, 14.0%), and fear to refuse sexual advances (63/509, 12.4%). Female students had significantly higher prevalence than males (146/269, 54.3% vs. 98/240, 40.8%; χ² = 9.182, p = 0.002). Prevalence increased significantly with level of study, from 38/149 (25.5%) at 100 level to 64/97 (66.0%) at 300 level (χ² = 50.731, p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified alcohol or drug use by students as a significant independent predictor of sexual coercion (OR = 2.097; 95% CI = 1.145–3.838; p = 0.016). Male sex (OR = 2.054; 95% CI = 1.328–3.179; p = 0.001), increasing age (OR = 1.147 per year; 95% CI = 1.053–1.250; p = 0.002), and studying Medicine (compared to Law) (OR = 0.401; 95% CI = 0.203–0.791; p = 0.008) were also significant predictors.
CONCLUSION
Sexual coercion is highly prevalent among undergraduate students in Benin City, affecting nearly one in two students, with unwanted touching, transactional coercion, and psychological pressure being the commonest forms. Female students, older students, and those in higher levels of study are at greater risk. Alcohol/drug use significantly increases vulnerability. These findings
underscore the urgent need for mandatory, sustained consent education programmes beginning at 100 level, strengthened campus security and policy enforcement, accessible confidential reporting mechanisms, and targeted interventions addressing substance use and peer norms. University administrations must fully implement the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention
and Prohibition) Act of 2025, establish Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees, and provide comprehensive survivor support services.
KEYWORDS
Sexual coercion, Undergraduates, Knowledge, Attitude, Prevalence, Benin City, Nigeria

Academic performance of students in universities has been associated with underlying problems, one of which is that of students’ stress. This study therefore aims to determine the influence of stress on the academic performance of undergraduates in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. In order to carry out the task, four research questions were raised and one hypothesis formulated which was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 6576 undergraduates. The data was collected using simple random technique and a sample size of 380 undergraduate students from the eight (8) departments in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin city, was used for the study. The research instrument used for the study was a self-structured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was subjected to scrutiny and the test-retest reliability technique was used to ascertain its reliability. The correlation coefficient computed was 0.82 indicating that the instrument was reliable. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages and means, while chi-square statistics was used to test the hypothesis. Results revealed that undergraduate students of University of Benin were having stressed times in certain areas of their academic life such as: overall study habits, organizing time, listening and taking notes, writing test/examinations, financial concerns/hardships, campus environment, and course requirements. Majority (66.6%) of the respondents reported to have high stress levels while, the stress level for 18.9% of the respondents is moderate and for 14.5% of the respondents, it is low. The chi-square test carried out confirmed that there is a significant relationship between students’ stress levels and their academic performance in the University of Benin. In conclusion, students have to set priorities in light of their resources to avoid stressful situations. Recommendations were made that stress intervention programs be designed to address stress of University students. Coping strategies that deals with one's own thoughts and feelings can be facilitated by accessible professional and peer counselling, student support groups, and adequate course advising. Also, students themselves must develop effective study habits by giving appropriate time that must fulfil the demand of their course.

Academic-related musculoskeletal disorders (ARMSDs) are increasingly common among university students due to prolonged sitting, poor posture, and
extended study hours. This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of ARMSDs among undergraduates, with a focus on ergonomic behavior, academic workload, and demographic characteristics. A descriptive cross- sectional research design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to undergraduates. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the prevalence and patterns of ARMSDs, while Chi- square tests and Binary Logistic Regression were employed to identify significant associations and predictors of ARMSDs. Results: Findings revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, especially in the neck, lower back, and shoulders. The Chi-square analysis showed that academic workload and academic level were significantly associated with ARMSDs (p < 0.001), while gender and ergonomic behavior were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The Binary Logistic Regression model further identified academic level as the only significant predictor of ARMSDs (B = 0.006, p = 0.001, Exp(B) = 1.006), The model explained approximately 6.9% of the variance in ARMSDs (Nagelkerke R² = 0.069). Conclusion: The study concludes that academic workload and progression are major contributors to the development of ARMSDs among undergraduates. These findings underscore the cumulative effects of academic stress, prolonged study duration, and suboptimal posture on students’ musculoskeletal health. iii
Keywords: Academic-related musculoskeletal disorders, undergraduates, ergonomic behavior, academic workload, Chi-square analysis.

The study was designed to elicit the Impact of Social Media influence on Sexually Transmitted Infection Preventive Practices Among Undergraduates. To achieve this, research questions were formulated during the course of the study. To explore these research questions, descriptive statistics and frequency count was used for the study and sectioned designed questions were used as the instrument for data collection. The sample size for the study consists of 247 students from the six faculties out of the fourteen
faculties. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education, University of Benin. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. There is need to examine gender and other health related factors that predict interactive media preferences.

This study was embarked upon to to examine the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among undergraduates in the University of Benin. Four research questions were raised to guide this study. The descriptive research design was used for this study and the population consisted of 47,468 students as of the 2023/2024 academic session (Student Affairs Division, 2024). A total of two hundred and ninety-nine (299) undergraduate students were selected. The instrument used for data collection was a well- structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The test-retest reliability was used to establish the reliability of the questionnaire. A total of two hundred and ninety-nine (299) questionnaires were administered to the sample respondents and data collected was analyzed using frequency count and percentage. Based on the data collected and analyzed, it was discovered that the respondents have a high of knowledge about oral hygiene, also the respondents have a high level of knowledge about the importance of oral hygiene. However, the respondents have bad attitudes towards oral hygiene and the respondents have poor oral hygiene practices. It was concluded that undergraduates' oral hygiene practices are greatly influenced by their knowledge and that ongoing efforts in education, awareness campaigns, and dental service accessibility are necessary to ensure that students not
only maintain optimal oral health throughout their academic careers but also form lifelong habits that enhance their overall quality of life. It was recommended that the University should collaborate with health organizations and dental professionals to organize regular oral health seminars, workshops, and campaigns to improve students' knowledge of proper oral hygiene practices, oral health education can be incorporated into general health courses for undergraduates to provide them with foundational knowledge on the importance of oral hygiene and preventive care, focused health education initiatives to close the knowledge-practice gap and encourage students to adopt healthier oral hygiene practices should be provided, the University Health Center should offer affordable and accessible dental care services, including routine check-ups, professional cleaning, and consultations to encourage students to seek preventive care regularly and campaigns using posters, flyers, social media platforms, and other communication channels should be conducted to inform students about the long-term consequences of neglecting oral health, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and systemic health issues

The study was an assessment of the influence of social media on the sexual behavior of undergraduates in the University of Benin(UNIBEN). The study became necessary following the claim that social media is capable of influencing sexual behavior positively and negatively. Social learning theory (SLT), Diffusion of Innovation, Uses and Gratification Theories servedas the framework for this study. Survey design was employed with a 10 item questionnaire of a population of 385 UNIBEN Undergraduate, 378 or 98.2% of them actively participated in the study. Data generated from this study were analyzed with the aid of frequency tables and simple percentage. The study found that social media influences sexual behavior negatively by perpetuating harmful and unrealistic sexual stereotypes, it was also revealed that social media exerts high sexual expectations leading to pressure and conformity to certain sexual norms, etc. Hence, it was recommended among other things that the University of Benin should develop and implement comprehensive sexual education programmes aimed at promoting safe and responsible use of social media exploration by its undergraduates. The study concluded that social media may be harmful but are still useful in influencing sexual behavior of the undergraduates.

Self-social isolation has increasingly become a critical concern affecting the psychological, social, and academic development of university students. This study critically investigates the causes and consequences of self-social isolation among undergraduates as perceived by Education students in the University ofBenin. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the perceived causes of self-social isolation, examine its consequences, and identify possible strategies for reducing the problem among undergraduates. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin, from which a sample of 210 students was selected through a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, consisting of items aligned with the research questions and rated on a four-point Likert scale. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and its reliability was established using the test–retest and split-half methods. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage to determine the dominant responses of the participants The findings revealed that bullying, excessive phone use, working while studying and low self-esteem are major causes of self-social isolation among undergraduates. The results further showed that self-social isolation negatively affects students’ mental health and academic functioning, leading to depression, suicidal tendencies, cognitive decline, loss of motivation, and poor academic performance. Additionally, the study identified viable strategies or reducing isolation, such as improved mental health support services, increased peer interaction, enhanced social engagement activities, monitoring of screen time, and provision of academic support for struggling students. Based on these findings, the study concludes that self-social isolation poses a serious threat to students’ overall development, requiring early identification and proactive intervention. The study recommends that school authorities, teachers, guidance counselors, and policymakers adopt collaborative measures such as anti-bullying policies, counseling programs and inclusive social initiatives to support student well-being, promote social belonging and enhance academic success.

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reshaped academic practices in higher education, creating both opportunities and ethical concerns. This study investigated the ethical issues associated with AI use among undergraduate students in Nigerian universities, with a focus on the University of Benin. The research examined how AI tools encourage plagiarism, affect academic integrity, contribute to dependence, promote academic laziness, and influence examination malpractice. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from seventy (70) undergraduate students across different faculties using a structured questionnaire. The results, analyzed through frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, revealed that AI tools significantly encourage plagiarism and undermine academic integrity. While students did not show strong overall dependence on AI, findings indicated that selective use promotes moderate laziness and creates new opportunities for exam malpractice. The study concludes that although AI can enhance learning efficiency, its misuse poses serious ethical challenges. It recommends that universities develop policies, awareness programs, and training initiatives to guide students toward responsible AI use, ensuring that technological benefits align with academic integrity and genuine learning

This study was designed to identify roles of academic libraries in promoting information literacy skills for lifelong learning amongst undergraduates of UNIBEN. Four research questions were raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study. The descriptive survey was used to survey all the two hundred and eleven (211) Professional, Para-Professional and Non-Professional Library Staff at John Harris Library, University of Benin, Benin, Edo State. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire and it was analyzed using frequency and simple percentage. The results revealed the internet resources used by undergraduate student during COVID 19 era. It also shows the influence of internet resources on information seeking behavior of undergraduates during covid 19 era and the extent of use of internet resources by undergraduate students for seeking of information. Based on the result, it was recommended that internet tools used for information retrieval should be maintained and used so that library staff can focus on other things. Students should be disciplined when using the internet for academic purpose as distractions is inevitable when using the internet. Finance also has a stronghold on the use of internet resources, ranging from bandwidth, power supply etc. Proper measures should be put into considerations to ensure the smooth use of the internet resources. In order to save the patron's time, library professionals should respond to user queries as soon as possible when the nature of the problem to be answered is complex. Poor internet connections also have an impact on student’s information-seeking behavior. Libraries and students should subscribe to a reliable and internet service provider or better still have options where one internet service provider is down for a moment, in such scenario, one can easily switch to the next internet service provider (ISP).