UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) present a major threat to patient safety, treatment outcomes, and healthcare sustainability globally, with a disproportionately higher burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the critical role of tertiary health centres in specialized care, comprehensive data establishing both the precise prevalence of HAIs and the institutional capacity of reporting mechanisms remain scarce in many regional facilities. This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological burden of HAIs and evaluate the existing surveillance reporting structures at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods: A sequential mixed-methods cross-sectional design was deployed across diverse clinical wards at UBTH. For the quantitative phase, a sample size of 429 in-patients was selected utilizing a multi-stage sampling approach incorporating proportional allocation and simple random sampling. Data were gathered via researcher-administered structured questionnaires, clinical records, and laboratory reviews. Quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to isolate independent predictors. For the qualitative phase, purposive sampling was used to conduct seven (7) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with clinical consultants, nursing leadership, and infection control officers. Qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis via NVivo software.
Results: The quantitative survey achieved a 100% response rate across the 429 participants. The confirmed point prevalence of HAIs was 5.8% (n = 25), with an additional 0.2% (n = 1) categorized as suspected cases, while 93.9% (n = 403) showed no evidence of infection. Among the 25 confirmed cases, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) were the most frequent clinical presentation at 48.0% (n = 12), followed by surgical site infections (SSIs) at 16.0% (n = 4), hospital-acquired pneumonia at 12.0% (n = 3), non-catheter- associated UTIs at 12.0% (n = 3), puerperal sepsis at 8.0% (n = 2), and burn area infections at 4.0% (n = 1). Multivariable binary logistic regression revealed that the lengths of hospital stay (OR = 1.067, 95% CI: 1.033–1.102, p < 0.001) and active urethral catheterization (OR = 6.233, 95% CI: 2.316–16.772, p < 0.001) were the only statistically significant independent predictors of acquiring an infection. Socio-demographic factors (such as age and sex) and chronic client comorbidities showed no significant independent associations (p > 0.05). Qualitatively, key informants highlighted a critical operational deficit: a formalized, hospital- wide infection reporting protocol for frontline clinicians is practically absent. Surveillance remains an entirely manual, paper-based tracking process conducted independently by an under-resourced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) unit due to a complete lack of digital infrastructure, technical training, and routine departmental feedback loops. Despite these barriers, there was universal consensus on the institutional value of a centralized reporting framework for establishing data-driven benchmarks and enhancing active antimicrobial stewardship.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that while the recorded point prevalence of HAIs at UBTH is relatively modest, it is significantly and independently driven by modifiable hospital-level exposures—specifically device utilization and prolonged admission windows—rather than immutable patient comorbidities. Crucially, the integrity of this epidemiological data is actively limited by a fragmented, manual reporting apparatus. To mitigate this burden and ensure patient safety, UBTH must transition away from paper-reliant tracking toward an integrated, hospital-wide electronic surveillance architecture alongside mandatory clinical care bundles and structured departmental data feedback loops

Prognosis disclosure is a critical component of patient-centered care that can influence patients’ trust in healthcare providers. Understanding how patients perceive prognosis disclosure and its impact on trust is vital for improving communication and healthcare outcomes. This study examined the influence of prognosis disclosure on patients’ trust in healthcare providers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using a convenience sampling technique, 101 patients were selected, and 99 valid responses were obtained, yielding a 98% response rate. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and grand means, were used to summarize socio-demographic characteristics, patient perceptions of prognosis disclosure, and trust in healthcare providers. Most participants were young adults (78.8% aged 18–25), female (75.8%), single (86.9%), and educated (84.8% with tertiary education). Findings showed that prognosis disclosure had a positive effect on patient trust, with 71% of respondents reporting high trust following disclosure. Key factors influencing trust included transparent communication, patient involvement in treatment planning, and emotional support. Although cultural and religious factors were largely non-influential, patients preferred gradual, staged disclosure sensitive to emotional readiness. The relationship between prognosis disclosure and trust was significant, with patients recognizing that clear, empathetic communication strengthens relationships. Prognosis disclosure, when delivered transparently and empathetically, enhances trust in healthcare providers. Emotional support and gradual communication are essential in maintaining positive relationships. Healthcare providers should receive training on sensitive prognosis disclosure, and structured, patient-centered protocols emphasizing empathy and emotional support should be implemented.

Background/Purpose of Study: Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in upper extremity dysfunction that limits independence. Rehabilitation strategies such as Mental Imagery (MI) and the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) have been developed to enhance motor recovery. This study evaluated the comparative and combined effectiveness of MI and GRASP on upper extremity function in stroke survivors. Methods: A total of forty-eight (48) stroke survivors were randomly assigned into four groups of twelve participants each: Mental Imagery (MI), GRASP, combined MI + GRASP, and a control group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks and was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was used to assess upper extremity function pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), and post-hoc comparisons were performed with Bonferroni correction at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The results revealed that the MI group showed no significant improvement in upper extremity function compared to the control. However, participants in the GRASP and MI + GRASP groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in grasp, grip, pinch, and gross movement components of the ARAT. The GRASP group showed the most notable gains, followed by the combined intervention group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that GRASP, alone or in combination with Mental Imagery, enhances upper extremity function in stroke survivors, while Mental Imagery alone may not produce measurable benefits within an eight-week period. These results support the inclusion of structured GRASP protocols, with or without imagery practice, in stroke rehabilitation to improve upper limb recovery.

Abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) is one of the most important diagnostic tools in modern radiology, providing detailed cross-sectional images that aid in the evaluation of a wide range of abdominal and pelvic diseases. However, in Nigeria, there remains limited documentation of the common computed tomography findings in adults, which affects evidence-based diagnosis and healthcare planning. This study assessed the common findings observed in abdomino-pelvic computed tomography examinations among adult patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. A retrospective study design was adopted, reviewing 105 abdomino-pelvic computed tomography reports of adult patients aged 18 years and above who were examined between May 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using a structured extraction sheet and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, clinical indications, and computed tomography findings, while inferential statistics assessed associations between variables at a significance level of p < 0.05. The findings revealed a slight male predominance (55.2%) and that most patients (47.6%) were aged 41–60 years. The leading clinical indications for computed tomography were abdominal pain or distension (17.1%), suspected malignancy (16.2%), and trauma (6.7%). Liver-related abnormalities were the most common radiological findings, with hepatomegaly (22.9%), liver cirrhosis (7.6%), and primary liver cell carcinoma (7.6%) being predominant. Fluid collections such as ascites and pleural effusion were also notable (10.5% each), while only 3.8% of the scans were normal. 1

Background: Chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension have become significant public health concerns worldwide. Effective self-care behavior amongst these patients is crucial for successful management of their health and prevention of complications. With the emergence of
mobile health technology there is a vast growing interest in utilizing this technology to facilitate and improve self-care behaviors amongst patients
Aim: To assess the impact of the "MedPlan Mobile App," an mHealth solution, on self-care behavior among hypertensive and diabetic patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted was used to collect data
on self-care behaviors and the use of the "MedPlan Mobile App” among hypertensive and diabetic patients. Out of the 280 questionnaires distributed, 267 were completed and used . Key findings: The largest demographic groups in the study were respondents aged 46-55 (44.2%), males (50.2%), and those diagnosed with a chronic condition for 1- <5 years (46.1%). Usage of the MedPlan mobile app, 68.4% reported using it most of the time or always, and 64.7% monitored their blood pressure/glucose levels regularly (most of the time or always). 69.9% reported using the App medication reminder feature and 70.3% found the video health tips feature useful (useful or very useful). Cronbach's Alpha, is high at 0.827. The t-value is 11.921, and the p-value is 0.000, indicating a significant positive association.
Conclusion: there is relationship between the duration of using the "MedPlan Mobile App" and the improvement of self-care behaviors among hypertensive and diabetic patients, there are some factors that influence patient engagement and adoption of the "MedPlan Mobile App", and there are challenges that hypertensive and diabetic patients face in adopting and using the "MedPlan Mobile App" to improve their self-care behaviors.