C.C EDO-OSAGIE

AI in healthcare has gained significant momentum in recent years, revolutionizing the delivery of medical services and transforming patient care processes across various specialties. Nursing, as a fundamental pillar of healthcare, is increasingly experiencing the impact of AI technologies, which range from decision support systems, robotics, predictive analytics, to personalized patient care applications. However, the successful adoption and optimal utilization of AI in nursing practice depend largely on nurses' knowledge, perceptions, and the roles they assume in its implementation. The aim of this study is to provide insights into the current knowledge and perceptions of nurses regarding AI, identifying potential gaps that could hinder effective practice. Understanding these gaps will help healthcare administrators and policy-makers design targeted interventions. This study employs a descriptive cross-sectional research design to investigate knowledge and perception of AI among nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). A total of 257 participants were chosen using a stratified random sampling technique. A well self-structured questionnaire was used to access the knowledge, perception and roles of nurses as regards the use of AI among nurses in UBTH. The result shows, 74.3% of the respondents exhibiting correct knowledge of AI in comparison with the McDonald’s scale indicates a moderate level of knowledge regarding AI. Also with a total mean score of 2.8, the study reveals that the respondents have a good perception of AI. Of the 257 respondents, 196 (76.3%) of the respondents strongly agreed that nurses should be involved in the planning and implementation of AI systems, 15(5.8%) disagreed, 31(12.1%) agreed while 15(5.8%) strongly disagreed. The mean response of the respondents is 2.53 which is greater than the average of 2.50 for a 4-point Likert scale, hence indicating the respondents generally agree that Nurses should be involved in the planning and implementation of AI systems. This study thus concluded that there is a fair knowledge, the respondents have good perception of AI and involving in the planning and implementation of AI systems are some of the roles of nurses in the use of AI

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) poses a significant health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State, where limited data exist on patient knowledge and treatment adherence. This study assessed the knowledge of CKD, adherence to prescribed treatment regimens, and associated barriers among CKD patients in a tertiary institution in Edo State. A cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, involving 158 CKD patients selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (p<0.05). Findings revealed that 53.2% of respondents had fair knowledge of CKD, primarily sourced from nurses (52.9%), while 28.5% had poor knowledge. Adherence to treatment regimens was generally poor, with only dietary compliance showing a mean score above 2.50. Key barriers to adherence included medication costs, side effects, inaccessible healthcare facilities, dietary restrictions, cultural beliefs, and lack of family support. No significant relationship was found between CKD knowledge and adherence (p=0.306), indicating that knowledge alone does not ensure adherence. The study recommends enhanced health educations by nurses and mass media campaigns to improve CKD awareness and address barriers like cost and accessibility. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance CKD management in Edo State

This study investigated the knowledge, utilization, and factors affecting the use of mobile technology for knowledge update among nurses in selected secondary health care facilities in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. The study aimed to determine the level of nurses’ knowledge of mobile technology, their extent of utilization, and the factors influencing its use for professional knowledge update. Three research questions were raised, and one hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 202 registered nurses from two selected secondary health care institutions in Benin City, from which a sample size of 148 respondents was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula and convenience sampling method. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and validated by experts in nursing and research methodology, while a pilot study yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means, and chi square tests. The findings revealed that most respondents possessed an average level of knowledge of mobile technology and demonstrated moderate utilization, primarily for professional and general knowledge updates. Major factors influencing use included lack of appropriate mobile devices, unreliable network connectivity, long login times, and heavy workload. The study concluded that mobile technology plays a significant role in improving nurses’ access to up-to-date knowledge but its utilization is hindered by infrastructural and institutional challenges. It was recommended that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria integrate mobile technology into continuing education programs and that healthcare institutions improve technological access and support for nurses

This study investigated nutritional knowledge and dietary habits among diabetic patients in a tertiary health institution, Edo State. The study aims to ascertain level of nutritional knowledge of diabetes among patients with diabetes, dietary habits of pa tients with diabetes and the factors influencing food consumption pattern of patients with diabetes attending a tertiary institution, Benin City. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study and stated hypothesis was tested at <0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a non-experimental descriptive survey design. The study population was 440 Diabetic patients attending treatment at University of Benin teaching hospital, from which a sample size of 230 respondents were selected for the study using convenient sampling method. A well-structured questionnaire instrument was drafted and used for data collection. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and two other experts in the field. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted and a reliability value greater than (>0.5) was obtained. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency count, percentages, means, Anova and graphical representation of results.The result shows that majority of the respondents have fair nutritional knowledge of diabetes. Also, majority of the respondents have poor dietary habits. Furthermore, taste preferences, emotional state, food prices, availability of healthy option are factors influencing food consumption pattern. Based on the findings, it was concluded and recommended that there should be health education by nurses to enlighten people on the importance of good dietary changes to health and mass media outlets such as television, radio, road jingles and posters etc. should be used to disseminate useful information on the importance of nutritional knowledge of diabetes

This study investigated the prevalence and outcome of malaria infection among children below 11 years of age in a tertiary healthcare facility in Benin City from 2022–2024. The study aimed to determine the months and years when malaria infection was most prevalent, the gender in which malaria infection was most common, the number of children who had malaria infection, and the treatment outcomes of malaria infection among children below 11 years in a selected tertiary healthcare facility from 2022–2024. The study adopted a non-experimental, retrospective
research design method. The study population consisted of all children aged 0 to 10 years who presented with a confirmed diagnosis of malaria at a selected tertiary healthcare facility in Benin City, Edo State, between 2022–2024. A sample size of 900 medical records was selected for the study using a retrospective census sampling technique. A checklist was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and two other experts in the field. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted prior to full data collection, extracting information from 20 randomly selected pediatric malaria case records not included in the main study. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 to obtain the Mean, SD, chi-square, and P-value < 0.05. The result shows that malaria was most prevalent in May and in the year 2023, and the treatment outcome of malaria infection had a 95% success rate and a 5% failure rate. Based on the findings, it was recommended that health education by health personnel should be intensified to enlighten parents on the dangers of malaria and ways of preventing it. Mass media outlets such as television, radio, road jingles, and posters should also be used to disseminate useful information on malaria.