Nigerian Medical Practitioner

Prevalence and Determinants of Violence against Children among Caregivers in South-South Nigeria

2026-10-31T07:20:46+00:00

Summary:
Violence against children is a major global public health problem, with up to 1 billion children experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse yearly. The burden is especially high in sub-Saharan Africa, where corporal punishment, poverty and weak protection systems increase risk. In Nigeria, about 60% of children experience at least one form of violence before age 18. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of caregiver-perpetrated violence against children in Okada Community, Edo State. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 419 caregivers selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized key variables. Chi-square tests assessed associations (p < 0.05), while variables with p < 0.20 were included in a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent predictors. Physical discipline was reported by 268 (64%) caregivers, emotional violence by 331 (79%) and neglect-related punishment by 34 (8%). Separately, 66 (15.8%) caregivers reported having witnessed a child in their community experience sexual abuse, most often perpetrated by someone other than the caregiver themselves. Violence levels were significantly associated with age, marital status, education, caregiver type, occupation and income. Predictors of physical discipline included ages 18–30 (AOR = 4.49) and 31–50 (AOR = 5.49), secondary education (AOR = 1.87), income below ₦50,000 (AOR = 2.20), having 3–5 dependents (AOR = 0.28 protective) and caregiving duration of 1–5 years (AOR = 0.17 protective). Intergenerational exposure to corporal punishment (374; 89.3%), financial stress (247; 59%), overwhelming stress (264; 63%) and cultural approval of physical discipline (174; 41.5%) were also notable risk factors. Violence against children is widespread in Okada Community, driven by socioeconomic pressures, cultural norms and caregiver stress. High rates of physical and emotional violence highlight the need for positive-parenting training, community sensitization, economic support for low-income households and strengthened enforcement of child-protection laws.

Association of Anxiety, Self-Esteem and Perceived Stress among Undergraduate Students Engage in Sports-A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-10-31T07:25:07+00:00

Summary:
Sport participation is recognized as a potential protective factor, yet in Nigerian universities, research exploring the interaction among anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived stress in student athletes is limited. This study investigated the association of anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived stress among undergraduate students who engage in sports at the University of Benin. This study was a cross-sectional design that involved 390 undergraduate students selected via stratified random sampling. Participants sociodemographic parameters were obtained. The state-trait anxiety inventory, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and perceived stress scale-10 were used to collect data on anxiety, self-esteem and perceived stress, respectively. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data, while Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation among variables. Binary logistic regression was used to predict sex of participants using independent variables of state trait anxiety scores, self-esteem, perceived stress and age at p < 0.05. The mean state trait anxiety inventory score, self-esteem score, and perceived stress scores of all participants were 49.97 ± 10.48, 10.33 ± 2.80 and 13.01 ± 4.74, respectively. Significant positive but weak correlation were found between perceived stress and each of self-esteem (ρ = 0.18, p = <0.001) and anxiety (ρ = 0.18, p = <0.001). The binary logistic model successfully predicted females (70.6%) than males (54.4%). The findings indicate that for every 1-unit increase in anxiety score, the odds of being male decreases by about 4%, whereas for every 1-unit increase in perceived stress score, the odds of being male increase by 11.0%. The findings indicate positive correlation between perceived stress and each of anxiety and self-esteem of undergraduate students who engaged in sports. Promotion of physical activity is recommended as a strategy for supporting student mental health and academic success, especially among female students.

Occupational Risk Factors and their Influence on the Prevalence of Spinal Pain among Health Workers in a Tertiary Institution

2026-10-31T07:28:43+00:00

Summary:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), particularly spinal pain, represent a significant occupational health challenge among healthcare and institutional workers due to exposure to physical workload, prolonged postures, manual handling, and ergonomic stressors. This study investigated the prevalence of spinal pain and its relationship with occupational ergonomic factors among workers in a tertiary institution. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 184 healthcare and non-healthcare workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E) to assess spinal pain involving the neck, upper back, and lower back regions. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The 12-month prevalence of self-reported spinal pain was 76.6%, while the 7-day prevalence was 69.0%. Neck pain was the most frequently reported spinal symptom (51.1%), followed by lower back pain (44.0%) and upper back pain (34.2%). Prolonged standing was significantly associated with overall spinal pain (p = 0.019) and lower back pain (p = 0.024), while patient lifting/transferring was significantly associated with lower back pain (p = 0.002). Awkward postures were significantly associated with upper back pain (p = 0.037). However, age, gender, years of professional experience, and job category were not significantly associated with spinal pain prevalence. Spinal pain is highly prevalent among workers in tertiary institutional settings and appears to be inﬂuenced by occupational ergonomic exposures, particularly prolonged standing, manual handling, and awkward postures. Comprehensive ergonomic interventions, workplace modifications, and early occupational health surveillance are recommended to reduce spinal pain burden among workers.

Isolation and Characterization of Actinomycetes from Estuary for Production of New Antibiotics

2026-10-31T07:39:53+00:00

Summary:
Actinomycetes are Gram positive facultative-anaerobic fungus-like filamentous bacteria that are highly sought for, by both Pharmaceutical and food processing industries due to their prolific production of antibiotics, biochemicals and enzymes. Antibiotics can be sourced from different sources such as soil and medicinal herbs, but most targeted soil because most of the microorganisms live in soil. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterized, Actinomycetes from estuary for new antibiotics production. Ninety (90) soil samples were collected from different sites at 5, 8 and 11 centimeters. Membrane filter technique by Ravi and Vasantha was employed and 2gm of soil samples were sprinkled on 0.45µm pore size membrane filter aseptically placed on surface of Starch Casein Agar (SCA) incubated at 30oC for two weeks. The isolates were identified on the basis of Cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization. API Oxioid Microbact reagent 12A and 12B containing 24 different reagents and sugars were used for biochemical characterization. The isolates were further characterized by genomic DNA using 16S rDNA sequencing technique and post sequencing activities. BLAST done and the assertion numbers were deposited in gene bank. Phylogenetic tree was also done. Thirty (30) Actinomyceycete isolated which belong to three families, Streptomyces 16(53.3%), Micromonospora 10(33.3%) and Nocardia 4(13.3%). And each of these species produces secondary metabolites that can be used to produce novel antibiotics.