PATIENTS

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of stroke and it's associated risk factors among patients admitted at the neurological ward of University of a tertiary health facility. The objectives this research work aims to determine the prevalence of Cerebrovascular accident, identify the associated risk factors, determine the percentage of stroke survivors and distribution of mortality rate. The study employed a retrospective descriptive survey design method. The area of study was the neurology ward in the University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Of a total population of two thousand three hundred and thirty-nine patients admitted, one thousand three hundred and ninety-seven patients were diagnosed of CVA and their data was collated. Purposive sampling technique was used. A well-structured checklist was used to elicit items relevant to the research objectives. The study showed that the prevalence of CVA was 58.9% of the total population, and the most prevalent risk factors were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The percentage of survivors was 69.4% and the distribution of mortality was highest amongst the males, age group 50-69, married patients, tertiary level of education, Christians, and Bini. The study therefore recommends that community education on lifestyle modifications, beneficial nutritional practices, maintaining appropriate body weight should be ensured. Also health workers should make anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood glucose level a routine procedure to ensure prompt treatment and eradication of these risk factors.

Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype typhi and is prevalent in numerous low- and middle-income countries around the world, including Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine typhoid prevalence among individuals in Orobosa Medical Centre and Graceville Medical Centre in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 232 individuals took part in the study, with 116 for each medical centre. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher and blood tests were used to determine whether participants were positive or negative for typhoid. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 20 and Microsoft Excel 2016. From the results, participants were predominantly female and aged between 21 and 30 years. Most participants obtained drinking water from table water sources (90.52 % and 75.86 %, respectively). Headaches and fatigue were identified by participants as the most common symptoms of typhoid fever. The most common risk factors according to participants were proximity to insects feeding on faecal matter and consumption of raw fruits and vegetables. Typhoid prevalence in the study was 19.83% and 17.24% for Orobosa Medical Centre and Graceville Medical Centre, respectively. To drastically reduce the prevalence of typhoid fever, the following can be applied; public health education, community-based interventions and strengthening of surveillance systems.

Background: Ear infections, also known as otitis media, are a common type of bacterial infection that mostly affect children. Plasmid profiling is a molecular technique used to identify and characterize the types of plasmids carried by bacterial isolates. This technique has a wide range of applications in microbiology, including the study of bacterial epidemiology, antibiotic resistance, and gene transfer. It can provide valuable information about the genetic diversity of bacterial populations and the mechanisms by which bacteria acquire and transfer resistance genes. Methods: The study evaluated a hundred and twenty seven patients from the Ear, Nose and Throat department at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin city. Patient’s data collected were age, gender, alcohol history, smoking history, medical history, Frequency of symptoms, ears affected, use of cotton bud, ear cleaning frequency among others. Isolates obtained were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and plasmid curing with 0.1mL and 0.4mL Ethidium bromide as the curing agent using standard agar disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 73.68% of our study participants were female, and 14.47% were male. Participants aged 21-25 had the highest occurrence (34.6%), linked to the patients ear cleaninghabits. The prevalence of Staphylococcus spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from both aerobic and anaerobic Isolate was the highest (49.33% and 47.06%) in the bacterial isolates obtained from study participants after incubation.The most prevalent mult-idrug resistant isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (25%) for aerobic isolate and Pseudomonas spp for anaerobic Isolate. Fluoroqinolones was the most effective antibiotics used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Post
curing with 0.1mg/ml and 0.4mg/ml Ethidium bromide,33.33%,100% and 0% was cured after further antimicrobial susceptibility testing with Fluoroqinolones, Macrolides and Penicillin) respectively. Conclusion:The presence of plasmid-mediated multidrug resistance genes in bacteria isolates from patients with ear infection underscores the need for antibiograms and responsible antibiotic usage in the management of ear infection.

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.

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.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of pain, disability, and
reduced quality of life worldwide. Despite evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity (PA) in managing KOA, many patients remain inactive. Identifying predictors of PA among this population is essential for developing tailored interventions.
Aim: This study investigated the predictors of physical activity levels among patients with knee osteoarthritis attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 participants diagnosed with KOA. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected on socio-demographic (age, sex, education), clinical (pain severity, duration of symptoms, comorbidities), and psychological variables (kinesiophobia, anxiety, depression). Instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, including Chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: About half of the respondents (50%) had moderate PA, while smaller
proportions had low (11.1%) or high (38.9%) PA levels. Most patients reported high kinesiophobia, and mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety showed a significant association with PA (P < 0.001), whereas socio-demographic, clinical, and other psychological factors were not significantly related. Regression analysis showed that none of the variables independently predicted PA levels.
Conclusion: Most patients with KOA were moderately active despite reporting high levels of kinesiophobia. Anxiety was related to PA but was not an independent predictor. Overall, PA appears to be influenced by multiple interacting factors, highlighting the need for holistic management strategies that address both physical and psychological aspects.

awareness among patients is often limited, particularly in low­ and middle­income countries. In Nigeria, many individuals misattribute psychiatric symptoms to stress, spiritual causes, or ordinary life difficulties, resulting in delayed presentation, poor treatment adherence, and worsened outcomes. Doctors’ perspectives are vital in assessing the extent of patients’ awareness and identifying barriers to care. Objective: This study assessed doctors’ perspectives on the level of patients’ awareness of mental health challenges at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria, and explored perceived barriers, consequences, and strategies for improvement. Methods: A descriptive cross­sectional study was conducted among doctors at UBTH using a structured, self­administered questionnaire. Data collected included socio­demographics, perceptions of patients’ awareness, barriers, and suggested interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented in prose, tables, and charts. Results: Most doctors perceived patients’ awareness of mental health challenges to be low to moderate, with only a small proportion demonstrating good awareness of common conditions such as depression and anxiety. Patients often misattributed symptoms to stress or spiritual problems, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Stigma (reported by over two­thirds of respondents), cultural and religious beliefs, low literacy, and weak health system capacity were identified as major barriers. Doctors noted that poor awareness contributed to late presentation, misdiagnosis, treatment non­adherence, and frequent relapses. Suggested strategies included integrating mental health education into routine consultations, strengthening community outreach, collaborating with religious and cultural leaders, expanding training for healthcare providers, and implementing hospital­based and national awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Doctors at UBTH perceive patients’ awareness of mental health challenges as inadequate, with significant consequences for timely diagnosis, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. Stigma and sociocultural misconceptions remain key barriers. Targeted interventions—including patient education, anti­stigma programs, and community engagement— are urgently needed to improve awareness and enhance mental health care delivery.

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.