Prevalence, pattern and determinants of dating violence among young persons in Benin City, Edo State

Background: Dating violence (DV) and its negative effects are a present public health issue of concern. The study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence, pattern and determinants of DV among young persons in Benin City.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Benin City, Edo State among young persons aged 15-24years. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The data was obtained from a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire adapted from WHO multi-country survey on domestic violence. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. The level of significance was p < 0.05.Results: A total of 750 respondents with mean age 20.65 ± 2.01 years participated in the study. The lifetime and one-year prevalence of DV was 396 (52.3%) and 354 (47.2%), respectively. A higher proportion of respondents suffered psychological violence with the lifetime and one-year prevalence of 339 (45.2%) and 294 (39.2%), respectively. Significant determinants of DV were age (p = 0.009), aggressive behavior (p = 0.005) and risky sexual behavior (p = 0.001)Conclusion: The prevalence of DV was high among the respondents. Preventive DV interventions such as health education and peer counselling for this age group is advocated.Keywords: Dating Violence; Prevalence; Pattern; Determinants; Young person

Nutritional status and its possible determinants among children attending early child care centres in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Nutritional status of children has become a worldwide public health issue and its assessment has been adjudged the best global indicator of well-being in children. One in three children under the age of five (178 million children) in developing countries are stunted due to chronic under-nutrition and poor quality diets. Without addressing malnutrition, the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition may not be attained. This study assessed the nutritional status and its possible determinants among children attending Early Child Care Centres in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive crosssectional study was carried out on 544 under-five children attending ECCCs in Benin City. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurement. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.0 and statistical significance was determined using Chi square with p value set at < 0.05.Results: Seventy nine (14.5%) of the children were stunted, while 68 (12.5%), 67 (12.3%) and 13 (2.8%) were underweight, wasted, and obese respectively. Significant possible determinants of being underweight and wasted among the children were age of child (p = 0.041) and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.011) while the predictor for wasting was exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.011).Conclusion: Over a tenth of the respondents were either stunted, underweight or wasted while a few of the children were obese. All stakeholders involved in ensuring and promoting proper nutrition among under-five children should work as a team in order to develop intervention programmes and ensure adequate nutrition in children.Keywords: Nutritional Status; Determinants; Early Child Care Center

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among workers of an oil palm company in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is one of the most important preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality globally. This condition which was initially considered rare in sub-Saharan Africa is now a major non-communicable disease threatening sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among workers of the Oil Palm Company in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State Nigeria.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 354 workers of Oil Palm Company selected using stratified sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire (adapted in line with the WHO stepwise surveillance questionnaire for chronic disease risk factors) was used to obtain data. Data analysis was by IBM SPSS version 21.0. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were done and level of significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age (SD) of respondents was 37.9 (10.4) years. The prevalence of hypertension was 18.4%. Sixteen (4.5%) of respondents were current tobacco users and 34 (9.6%) were obese. Significant determinants of hypertension were age (p = 0.001), current tobacco use (p = 0.007), BMI (p = 0.027) and Waist Hip Ratio (p = 0.033).Conclusion: Hypertension is a public health problem among the study population and the determinants of hypertension identified include age, tobacco use, and obesity. There is need for health education on how to reduce these risk factors and screening programs among the staff for early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.Keywords: Hypertension, Prevalence, Risk factors, Oil Palm Compan

Assessment of male involvement in emergency contraception in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) refers to the use of drugs or a device as an emergency measure to prevent pregnancy. Lack of awareness and appropriate use of emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Male involvement in contraceptive practices could help reduce these sequelae. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraception and extent of partners’ communication with each other on pregnancy prevention among male students in the University of Benin, Benin City.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 400 male students of the University of Benin selected by multistage sampling technique. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20 and statistical significance was determined using Chi square and Fishers exact with p value set at < 0.05.Results: Three hundred and thirty-four (95.4%) of the respondents, had incorrect knowledge of Emergency Contraception (EC) while 293 (83.7%) respondents had a good attitude toward EC. One hundred and seventy-five (80.3%) of the respondents’ partners have used emergency contraception and only 93 (43.1%) respondents discussed pregnancy prevention with their partners.Conclusion: The knowledge of emergency contraception among respondents was poor. However, most respondents had positive attitude towards its use and majority of their partners had used EC. Therefore, health education program on pregnancy prevention methods is recommended to improve respondents’ knowledge.Keywords: Emergency contraception, Male involvement, Knowledge, Attitude, Pregnancy prevention

Knowledge, Prevalence, and Attitude of Males Regarding Infertility in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State

Infertility is of public health importance in Nigeria and many parts of Africa especially sub-Saharan Africa not only because of its high prevalence but also due to the devastating social effects on affected couples and families. However, despite its high prevalence in Nigeria, not much is known about the male  perspectiveof infertility. This study revealed the knowledge, prevalence and attitude of males regarding infertility in Egor LGA, Benin City. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among adult males in Egor LGA, Benin City.  Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to  obtain data. The analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 779 adult males participated in this study. The mean age of respondents was 38.8 ± 9.2 years. Majority of the respondents 636 (81.6%) had good knowledge of infertility. There was a statistically significant association between duration of marriage and knowledge  (p<0.001).Prevalence of infertility was71 (9.1%) and 24 (33.8%) of the respondents sought treatment for infertility. A higher proportion of the respondents 482 (61.9%) had a positive attitude towards infertility while 297 (38.1%) had negative towards infertility. Treatment options reported by respondents included 561 (81.7%) medical, 549 (79.9%), 307 (39.4%) traditional and spiritual 205 (26.3%). Majority of the respondents had a good knowledge of infertility and its treatment options. However, the prevalence was low. There is a need for stakeholders to focus on health education programs targeted towards prevention and management of infertility.Keywords: Infertility, Knowledge, Attitude, Prevalence,  Treatmen

Assessment of career specialty preferences among medical students at the University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state

Background: The field of Medical science has a wide range of medical specialties. The choice of a future career in medical practice in any of these specialties can be an overwhelming experience and a challenge for medical students, as there are many factors to consider. This study describes the career preferences of medical students in University of Benin.Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of medical students in University of Benin from September 2015 – August 2016. The data  obtained was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 and the level of significance was set at p <0.05.Results: A total of 654 respondents participated in this study. Two hundred and  seventy two (41.6%) and 247 (37.8%) of the respondents chose surgery as the first and second most preferred specialty respectively. Specialty preferences  amongst the respondents for the first and second choices were mostly influenced by the individuals’ personalities 416 (63.6%) and 366 (56.0%) respectively. A higher proportion of the respondents 446 (75.5%) desired to practice within Nigeria while 145 (24.5%) of them were willing to practice outside Nigeria. Better experienceand opportunities were the major reason for their choice of practice location accounting for 517 (79.0%) of the respondents.Conclusion: The most preferred specialties amongst the male respondents were Surgery followed by Medicine. Career enlightenment should be part of the school’s curriculum and trained personnel should be delegated as counselors, mentors as well as career tutors for medical students.Keywords: Career, Medical specialty, Medical students, Specialty preference

An assessment of the willingness of patients in hospitals in Benin city to give consent to clinical research

Background: Clinical research directly involves the use of materials of human origin, such as tissue samples, obtained through direct contact with a particular living person that volunteers and agrees to participate in a research study. An ethical background where informed consent is sought from patients before engaging them is necessary in any research for credibility.Objective: The study ascertained the willingness of patients in hospitals in Benin City to consent to research and the factors associated with it.Materials/method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done, and information was obtained through interviewer administered questionnaires. Stratified sampling method was used to recruit respondents and data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. P value was set at <0.05.Results: About 62.5% of the respondents would consent to clinical research. Among those willing to consent to research, 92% were influenced by improved health outcome, 62.7% minimal harm, 40.7% cordial relationship with the researcher and 26.7% wanted payment for participation. Factors affecting willingness to consent were information on the possible side effects (72.9%), benefits of participation (68.8%), Permanent cure (73.8%), insurance in place for health risks (65.0%), reduction in the cost of management (58.8%).Conclusion: There was willingness among patients in hospitals in Benin City to give consent to research.Key words: Consent, Medical research, Willingness, Patients

Perceptions about tissue donation for medical research among patients in a tertiary hospital in South South,Nigeria

Background: Tissue banking refers to a structured and organized resource collection of tissue. Recent advances in research technology and knowledge in the fields of human genetics/ genomics highlights the need to maintain a steady supply of tissue for researchers.Objective: To assess the perception and willingness of patients to donate tissue for research.Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among 250 patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Data was obtained using interviewer administered questionnaires. Stratified sampling method was used to recruit respondents and data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The findings showed that most patients were positively disposed towards tissue research as majority (75.6%) believed the use of tissue for research was justified and more than two-thirds (73.2%) were willing to donate tissue for research as exemplified by willingness to donate blood, 70.8% would permit storage of extra tissue obtained from surgery, and 82.8% would accept treatment based on tissue research. However, more than half (54%)\ were unwilling to permit the use of tissue from a dead relative for research. This buttresses the roles that traditional beliefs play in determining attitudes and perceptions.Conclusion: There was willingness among the respondents to donate tissue for research. However, regular health education is required to sustain this positive attitude.Key words: Tissue donation, Medical research, Patients