O. E. OBARISIAGBON

Background: Undiagnosed hypertension remains a major public health problem globally, particularly among occupational groups exposed to prolonged work stress, sedentary lifestyle, and poor access to routine healthcare. Transport and logistics
workers are especially vulnerable because of the nature of their work, yet many cases remain undetected until complications develop.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and factors associatedwith undiagnosed hypertension among transport and logistics workers in Benin City, Edo State.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 transport and logistics workers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Oredo Local Government Area was selected at the first stage, while Central Motor Park was
selected at the second stage using cluster sampling. Data were collected using a semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP wise approach. Blood pressure was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, while weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Respondents with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg who had no previous diagnosis of hypertension
and were not on antihypertensive medication were classified as having undiagnosed hypertension. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statisticswere summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression using the backward stepwise (conditional) method were used to determine factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 50.53 ± 11.87 years. Slightly more than half (52.5%) had good knowledge of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 47.8%, while the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 24.0%. Nearly half of the respondents were prehypertensive, 26.7% had stage 1 hypertension, and
xv 18.3% had stage 2 hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension was more common among respondents aged 31–40 years, those with primary education, motorcyclists and taxi drivers, those with shorter work experience, and respondents who worked
more than 10 hours daily. Smoking and physical inactivity were significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension at bivariate level (p < 0.05). At multivariate level, primary education (AOR = 3.44; 95% CI: 1.16–10.21) and lack of regular
physical activity (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.12–4.64) remained significant predictors of undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusion: Undiagnosed hypertension is a significant health problem among transport and logistics workers in Benin City. The burden of hypertension was high, knowledge of hypertension was only moderate, and many respondents were exposed to important behavioural and occupational risk factors. Regular blood pressure screening, targeted health education, and workplace-based interventions are recommended to improve early detection and reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications among transport workers

Background: Infertility is a global public health concern affecting approximately one in six people of reproductive age worldwide, with a prevalence of 15.7–22% in Nigeria. Globally, infertility remains a significant reproductive health challenge and is associated with profound
social, psychological, cultural, and economic consequences, particularly among women in developing countries. In many African societies, including Nigeria, infertility is often interpreted through cultural and spiritual lenses, leading to stigma, discrimination, and
delayed utilization of evidence-based medical care. In Benin City, market women operate within deeply traditional cultural frameworks that significantly shape their perceptions of infertility and their health-seeking behaviour. Despite growing access to modern medical treatments, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs, limited knowledge of treatment options, and socio-demographic barriers continue to hinder appropriate care utilization in this demographic. Therefore, understanding their beliefs and knowledge of infertility treatment options is essential for designing culturally sensitive reproductive health interventions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the cultural beliefs and knowledge of infertility treatment options among market women in Benin City. Specific objectives were to identify cultural beliefs and perceptions of infertility, determine the level of knowledge of infertility
treatment options, examine the relationship between cultural beliefs and knowledge of infertility treatment options, and assess the socio-demographic factors associated with knowledge of infertility treatment options among market women in Benin City. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative method of data collection was used. The study was conducted among market women aged 18–65 years
in four selected markets within Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, between January 2025 and May 2026. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 440 respondents. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, interviewer- and self-administered questionnaire divided into sections on socio-demographic characteristics, cultural beliefs and perceptions, and knowledge of infertility treatment options. Cultural beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge were scored and categorized using Bloom's cut-off criteria. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, Spearman’s
correlation, binary logistic regression, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine associations and predictors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 440 market women participated (100% response rate), with a mean age of 39.6 (12.5) years. The majority were married (about 11 in 20), predominantly of the Benin ethnic group, predominantly Christian (about 9 in 10), relatively educated, with a majority with at least a secondary education (about 4 in 5). Nearly three-quarters held positive cultural beliefs about infertility, while about two-thirds demonstrated positive perceptions of the condition. However, only about 2 in 5 respondents demonstrated good knowledge of infertility treatment options, with the majority showing poor knowledge. Respondents generally recognized infections, blocked fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalance, male infertility
among others as causes of infertility and were aware of treatment modalities including medications, surgery, and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Higher educational attainment (p < 0.001), Igbo ethnicity (p = 0.008), use of social media, health workers,family/friends, and religious centres as health information sources (p < 0.001), and longer years of market experience (p = 0.017) were significantly associated with good knowledge. Respondents with positive cultural beliefs were significantly more likely to have good knowledge compared to those with negative beliefs (p = 0.001), and good perception was strongly associated with good knowledge (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, tertiary education (OR = 19.335), positive cultural beliefs (OR= 2.719), and good perception (OR = 2.912) were significant independent predictors of good knowledge. Conclusion: The study found that although the majority of market women in Benin City hold positive cultural beliefs and perceptions regarding infertility, a substantial proportion still
harbour supernatural misconceptions, and the overall level of knowledge of infertility treatment options remains poor. Education, cultural orientation, and access to diverse health information sources are critical determinants of infertility knowledge. Comprehensive, culturally sensitive reproductive health programs targeting market women, particularly those with lower educational attainment, should be prioritized to improve knowledge, address harmful cultural beliefs, reduce stigma, and promote timely utilization of evidence-based
infertility care.

Background: The growing influence of information technology on various aspects of life including education necessitates the developing countries to use E-learning for better distribution of teaching materials and interaction between students and teachers. In Nigeria, there was a surge in use of E-learning to continue education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. E-learning represents a vital paradigm on higher education unconstrained by time and place, offering new opportunities for the development of the educational processes. Its adoption is vital to bridge the learning gap between developed and developing countries. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of undergraduate students in University of Benin towards E-learning. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted for this study. Four hundred and twenty-five students were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was obtained using a standardized semi-structured self-administered questionnaire comprising both open ended and close ended questions. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 software with statistical significance set at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean age was calculated as 23.16 (±3.24) years. Of all the respondents, (62.8%) had good knowledge, while (37.2%) of respondents had poor knowledge. (97.2%) had a positive attitude, while 2.8% had a negative attitude. Challenges such as constant power failure, inadequate internet access, inadequate computer literacy skills and cost of data subscriptions were identified. 98.1% of respondents showed good readiness, while 1.9% showed poor readiness. The most commonly used E-learning tools were search engines, PowerPoint, virtual classrooms and mobile applications. Conclusion: The majority of respondents had good knowledge, positive attitude and good readiness towards E-learning. The major challenges were constant power failure, inadequate internet access, inadequate computer literacy skills and cost of data subscriptions. Keywords: Online, learning, technology Word count: 287

Hypertension is an increasingly important public health problem among young adults, yet many university students underestimate their susceptibility despite exposure to lifestyle-related cardiovascular risks. This study assessed knowledge of hypertension risk factors and determined the prevalence of hypertension among university students in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with an adapted structured self administered questionnaire, while blood pressure, weight, and height were measured using standard procedures. Knowledge of hypertension risk factors was scored over eight items; scores of 4 and above were classified as good knowledge. Blood pressure was classified using the Joint National Committee criteria.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.3 ± 2.6 years, and 64.8% were females. All respondents had heard of hypertension, with school being the commonest source of information (62.3%). Overall, 73.8% had good knowledge of hypertension risk factors, and 80.7% had good general knowledge of hypertension. Stress (88.8%), obesity (79.8%), excessive alcohol
consumption (74.8%), family history (70.5%), smoking (70.0%), and high salt intake (69.5%) were the most commonly identified risk factors, while fewer respondents recognised processed foods (57.0%) and physical inactivity (55.2%). Measured blood pressure showed that 48.3% were normotensive, 43.8% were prehypertensive, 6.8% had stage 1 hypertension, and 1.1% had stage 2 hypertension, giving an overall hypertension prevalence of 7.9%. Hypertension was significantly more common among males than females (13.2% vs 5.0%, p < 0.001) and increased across BMI categories from underweight to obesity (p < 0.05).

Background: Learning Management Systems (LMS) have become vital tools for enhancing teaching, learning, and communication. Their importance in medical education is particularly significant, as they provide structured, flexible, and interactive platforms for managing the vast knowledge medical students must acquire. However, in Nigeria, challenges such as limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and poor internet access have hindered widespread LMS adoption. Understanding medical students’ knowledge, perception, and willingness to use LMS is vital to improving integration into medical training. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, perception, and willingness to use Learning Management Systems among medical students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 medical students across levels 200-600, selected through stratified sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire with sections on socio-demographics, knowledge, perception, willingness, and determinants of LMS acceptance. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Univariate analysis was performed for socio-demographics, bivariate analysis using chi-square tested associations between independent variables and outcomes, and logistic regression identified predictors of knowledge, perception, and willingness. Statistical significance was set at
p<0.05, with results presented in prose, tables, and charts. Results: Of the 410 respondents, 345 (84.1%) were aware of LMS, with Google Classroom(75.8%) and YouTube (58.4%) being the most commonly used platforms. Two-thirds of respondents demonstrated good knowledge, which was significantly associated with academic level (p<0.001). Attitudes were largely positive, with 82.4% agreeing that LMS improves academic performance and 75.1% stating that LMS creates a more interactive learning environment. Overall, 72.5% expressed willingness to adopt LMS for academic activities. Barriers identified included poor internet access (61.3%), inadequate training (48.9%), and high data costs (42.4%). Conclusion: Medical students at the University of Benin demonstrated high awareness, positive perceptions, and strong willingness to use LMS, though infrastructural and training challenges persist. Institutional support, improved internet access, and structured integration of LMSintothe medical curriculum are recommended to optimize its role in medical education. Keywords: Learning Management System; Knowledge; Perception; Willingness; Medical
Students, University of Benin, Nigeria

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age globally, yet a significant proportion remains undiagnosed due to insufficient baseline knowledge regarding its causes and symptoms. This lack of awareness contributes to delayed medical attention and progression of the disease, leading to serious long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, and endometrial cancer. Studies in Nigeria indicate particularly low awareness levels, underscoring a critical public health challenge.
Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the knowledge and awareness of the causes, symptoms, and long-term complications and determinants of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among female undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria with a view to generate evidence that will guide the design of tailored strategies aimed at increasing awareness and strengthen healthcare delivery. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, targeting female undergraduate students at the University of Benin. Data collection occurred between April 2024 and June 2025. A sample size of 415 respondents was determined using Cochran's formula and a 10% non-response adjustment. A multi-stage sampling technique involved the simple random selection of the Ugbowo campus, followed by the random selection of eight faculties. Information was collected using a 29-item structured questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS V 25.0 to generate percentages and frequencies.
Results: Over half of the respondents (54%) reported having heard of PCOS, with approximately twothirds (60.7%) demonstrating good baseline knowledge of its causes and symptoms, while one-third (39.3%) exhibited poor knowledge. Abnormal menstruation (40.7%) was identified as the most common symptom, overproduction of hormones (36.9%) and genetics (35.4%) were frequently cited causes. Drugs (46.7%) was perceived as the most effective treatments. Regarding awareness of complications, 46.4% showed good awareness, while 53.6% lacked sufficient awareness particularly concerning infertility. Social media (especially TikTok and WhatsApp at 42.9% and 21.0% respectively) was the primary source of PCOS, followed by medical professionals. The key predictors of good knowledge included being in a medical related field like Medicine (OR = 0.033, p = 0.001) and a higher monthly allowance above N20,000. N20,000 – N50,000 (OR = 0.379, p = 0.002) and N51,000 – N100,000 (OR = 0.059, p <0.001).
Conclusion: The study revealed moderate knowledge but a significant gap in awareness regarding PCOS complications among female university students, compounded by reliance on non-medical information sources and prevalent misconceptions. Academic background and socioeconomic status were influential factors in knowledge levels. These findings necessitate targeted public health interventions, including integrating comprehensive PCOS education into university curricula, launching official social media campaigns led by healthcare professionals, organizing workshops, encouraging routine health screenings, and promoting mental health support services for affected individuals