PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND AWARENESS OF ULTRASOUND AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL BEYOND PREGNANCY AMONG STUDENTS OF SOME SELECTED FACULTIES IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
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Abstract
This study assessed the public perception and awareness of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool beyond pregnancy among undergraduate students in the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Although ultrasound is widely recognized for its use in obstetric imaging, its broader diagnostic applications remain underappreciated by the public. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design
was adopted, targeting students from the Faculties of Arts, Life Sciences, and Basic Medical Sciences. Using a stratified random sampling method, a total of 327 questionnaires were distributed and completed. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Findings revealed that 60.24% of respondents were female, while the majority (53.21%) were between 20 and 23 years old. Most respondents (40.37%) were from the Faculty of Arts, with the 300-level students contributing the largest group (24.46%). The study showed that although most students were aware of ultrasound as a tool for pregnancy monitoring, their knowledge of its use in other diagnostic areas such as abdominal, cardiac, and musculoskeletal examinations was limited. Despite this, respondents generally perceived ultrasound positively, describing it as safe, affordable, and advantageous
compared to other imaging modalities like CT and MRI. The study concludes that while awareness of ultrasound beyond pregnancy remains inadequate, students hold favorable attitudes toward its diagnostic potential. It recommends strengthening health education initiatives, integrating basic diagnostic imaging information into university health programs, and organizing awareness campaigns to broaden public understanding of ultrasound’s diverse clinical applications.
was adopted, targeting students from the Faculties of Arts, Life Sciences, and Basic Medical Sciences. Using a stratified random sampling method, a total of 327 questionnaires were distributed and completed. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Findings revealed that 60.24% of respondents were female, while the majority (53.21%) were between 20 and 23 years old. Most respondents (40.37%) were from the Faculty of Arts, with the 300-level students contributing the largest group (24.46%). The study showed that although most students were aware of ultrasound as a tool for pregnancy monitoring, their knowledge of its use in other diagnostic areas such as abdominal, cardiac, and musculoskeletal examinations was limited. Despite this, respondents generally perceived ultrasound positively, describing it as safe, affordable, and advantageous
compared to other imaging modalities like CT and MRI. The study concludes that while awareness of ultrasound beyond pregnancy remains inadequate, students hold favorable attitudes toward its diagnostic potential. It recommends strengthening health education initiatives, integrating basic diagnostic imaging information into university health programs, and organizing awareness campaigns to broaden public understanding of ultrasound’s diverse clinical applications.
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