COPING STRATEGIES

BACKGROUND: Food security is essential for human survival, encompassing consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It is defined by four key dimensions: availability, access, utilization, and stability, all of which must be met simultaneously. Food insecurity arises when these dimensions are compromised, leading to inadequate food access. Globally and in Nigeria, its prevalence remains high, driven by factors such as poverty, population growth, and environmental challenges. Food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes, including malnutrition and chronic diseases, and negatively impacts education, productivity, and economic growth. AIM: The study aimed to assess the prevalence, determinants, knowledge and perception of food insecurity among households in Benin City, Nigeria and the coping strategies adopted. METHODS: This study employed a community-based descriptive cross-sectional design conducted in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, among 500 heads of households. A multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from validated tools, including the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and the Coping Strategies Index. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages, while associations were tested using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food insecurity, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results were presented in prose, tables and bar charts. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 51.9 ± 11.9 years, with majority within the 45–54 years age group. The majority 403 (80.6%) were males. The prevalence of food insecurity among households was 383 (76.6%). Food insecurity was higher among respondents aged ≥65 years (86.4%; p = 0.010), married respondents (85.7%; p = 0.004), those with primary education (95.3%; p < 0.001), retired respondents (94.3%; p = 0.017), and those with skill level 2 (85.8%; p < 0.001). It was also higher in households with monthly income ≤ ₦180,000 (84.1%; p < 0.001) and monthly food expenditure ≤ ₦100,000 (82.5%; p < 0.001), and among respondents with good perception of food insecurity (81.5%; p = 0.008). Married respondents had higher odds of food insecurity (OR = 2.135; p = 0.008). Higher education (OR = 0.272; p = 0.017), employment (OR = 0.210; p = 0.012), higher skill level (OR = 0.458; p = 0.001), and home ownership (OR = 0.592; p = 0.040) were associated with lower odds, while increasing number of children increased the odds of food insecurity (OR = 1.236; p = 0.047). Overall, 57.2% of respondents had good knowledge of food insecurity, and 52.0% had a good perception of food security. Knowledge of food insecurity was associated with marital status, where a higher proportion of respondents who were not married had good knowledge (66.4%; p = 0.020). Higher proportions of respondents with monthly household income ≤ ₦180,000 (63.3%; p = 0.003) and those who spent ≤ ₦100,000 on food (61.7%; p = 0.010) had good knowledge of food insecurity. Marital status was associated with lower odds of good knowledge (OR = 0.505; p = 0.007). Higher education increased the odds of good knowledge (OR = 2.351; p = 0.005), while higher skill level reduced the odds of having good knowledge (OR = 0.657; p = 0.036). Perception of food insecurity was associated with level of education, where a higher proportion of respondents with tertiary education had good perception (55.7%; p < 0.001). A higher proportion of respondents with access to a nearby food market also had good perception (55.0%; p < 0.001). Higher education increased the odds of good perception (OR = 3.380; p < 0.001), while access to a nearby food market increased the odds of good perception (OR = 2.777; p < 0.001). Food insecurity status (OR = 1.880; p = 0.004) and good knowledge of food insecurity (OR = 0.515; p = 0.013) were also associated with good perception of food insecurity. The most common coping strategies included consumption of less preferred foods (64.4%), reduction in portion sizes (57.2%), and reduction in the number of meals per day (54.2%). CONCLUSION: The study found that about three-quarters of households were food insecure. Marital status, education, employment, skill level, income, food expenditure, number of children, and housing tenure were important determinants. More than half of respondents had good knowledge and about half had good perception, but many households still used coping strategies such as reducing meal frequency and consuming less preferred foods. The findings reflect widespread food insecurity among households in the study area.

Chronic kidney disease poses a significant psychosocial burden, particularly among patients undergoing long-term dialysis in low-resource settings. This study assesse psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among patients receiving dialysis treatment in a tertiary institution in Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 100, selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency tables) and inferential analysis, with significance established at p < 0.05. Findings revealed that a substantial proportion of patients experienced high levels of psychological distress, including anxiety (72.0%) and depressive symptoms (65.3%), largely attributed to prolonged treatment duration and uncertainty about prognosis. Financial strain was reported by 81.4% of respondents, with many struggling to consistently afford dialysis sessions, medications, and transportation. Social challenges included withdrawal from socialactivities (58.7%) and feelings of dependency (62.5%). Despite these challenges, the majority of respondents adopted spiritual coping strategies (78.9%), followed by reliance on family support (69.4%) and acceptance of illness (54.2%). However, professional psychological support services were poorly utilized (18.0%) due to stigma and limited availability within dialysis units. A statistically significant association was found between financial burden and psychological stress levels (p = 0.002), as well as between coping strategy adoption and overall emotional adjustment (p = 0.004). The study concludes that dialysis patients face complex psychosocial that extend beyond clinical care. It recommends integration of mental health services, social support systems, and financial subsidy programs into dialysis care to enhance patient well-being and treatment adherence.

Nurses frequently experience emotional and psychological distress when confronted with patient Nurses frequently experience emotional and psychological distress when confronted with patient death, which can affect their mental well being and professional performance. Coping strategies are therefore vital in managing grief, preventing burnout, and sustaining quality care. This study assessed the coping strategies adopted by nurses and the factors influencing their use in a selected tertiary institution in Benin City, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 227 nurses. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 to identify coping strategies, their perceived effectiveness, and the relationship between utilization, effectiveness, and influencing factors.Findings revealed that the most commonly adopted strategies included religious or spiritual practices, seeking emotional support from colleagues, debriefing sessions, suppressing emotions, maintaining professional emotional distance, and reliance on cultural beliefs. These approaches were generally perceived as effective, while formal training and institutional support programs were the least utilized and considered less effective. Results further indicated that factors such as years of professional experience, prior exposure to patient death, age, and marital status significantly influenced the type and effectiveness of coping strategies adopted. A significant association was also observed between higher utilization of coping strategies and greater perceived effectiveness (p = 0.01).The study concludes that nurses in the selected institution primarily depend on personal and peer-based coping mechanisms, which are largely effective. However, formal training and institutional support programs remain underutilized. It is therefore recommended that healthcare institutions priori tize structured training, grief counseling, and supportive programs while considering individual and demographic factors that shape coping patterns.