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Background: Infertility is a major reproductive health challenge that affects millions of couples worldwide and is associated with profound psychological, emotional, marital, and social consequences. In Nigeria, women experiencing infertility are particularly vulnerable to stigma, discrimination, and psychosocial distress because of prevailing sociocultural expectations regarding childbearing. Objective: This study explored the perceptions, psychosocial burdens, and coping strategies of infertility among women of reproductive age attending selected fertility clinics in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative component involved 194 women receiving infertility care in three selected fertility clinics using a structured questionnaire, while the qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants until data saturation was achieved. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 20, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from both components were integrated during interpretation to provide comprehensive insights into women's experiences. Results: Overall, 84.3% of respondents demonstrated positive perceptions of infertility. A high level of psychosocial burden was reported by 73.3% of participants, with anxiety, sadness, fear of childlessness, guilt, social isolation, and marital strain emerging as the most common experiences. Respondents employed various adaptive coping strategies, particularly emotional self-control, social support, positive reappraisal, assisted reproductive planning, and religious coping. Social support and spirituality emerged as important sources of resilience. A statistically significant association was found between respondents' perceptions of infertility and their level of psychosocial burden (χ² = 24.728, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings complemented

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Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain significant public health challenges globally, with cultural and social stigma, and discrimination continuing to affect the quality of life of people living with the condition. While health workers play a direct role in HIV care, non-health workers within hospital environments also interact with patients and can influence their experience and wellbeing. This study assesses the awareness, perception and attitude of non-health workers towards patients with HIV/AIDS in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, using the a self-structured APAHQ questionnaire. A simple random sampling technique was used to derive data from 121 non-health workers at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentages. Results: The findings of the study revealed a generally high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS at 94.3%. The mean perception of 3.2 ± 0.6 indicates a moderate perception of the respondents about patients with HIV/AIDS. The study showed a significant negative attitude of respondents towards patients with HIV/AIDS at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with mean value 0.3 ± 0.7. Conclusions: This study emphasized the need for continuous workplace education and sensitization campaigns among non-health workers to clear myths and misconceptions of HIV/AIDS in order to end stigmatization of patients with HIV/AIDS. Based on the findings, the study recommended that public enlightenment, strengthening HIV literacy and empathy among non-health workers will foster a more supportive and inclusive hospital environments for patients living with HIV/AIDS.

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Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated risk behaviours among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies, proportions, and mean scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of sexually transmitted infections. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Approximately 18.2% of respondents tested positive for at least one STI. Staphylococcus infection (35.7%) was the most frequently reported infection, followed by gonorrhoea (30.0%), syphilis (20.0%), and chlamydia (14.3%). Factors significantly associated with increased likelihood of STI occurrence included being single (AOR=1.46, p=0.027), younger age (AOR=1.73, p=0.015), previous STI diagnosis (AOR=2.06, p=0.001), poor knowledge of STIs (AOR=1.73, p=0.008), inconsistent or incorrect condom use (AOR=2.01, p=0.002), social norms discouraging sexual health discussions (AOR=1.65, p=0.017), peer pressure influencing risky sexual behaviour (AOR=1.49, p=0.023), and limited access to health services (AOR=1.82, p=0.005). Conclusion: STIs remain prevalent among undergraduate students in this study, with Staphylococcus infection, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia being commonly reported. Strengthening sexual health education, improving access to reproductive health services, and promoting safer sexual practices among undergraduates are recommended.

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The relationship between educational attainment and self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults in the United States was studied to determine whether depressive symptoms mediate the pathway. Cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9,900) were analyzed using hierarchical multiple linear regression. Control variables include age, gender, and race. Bivariate correlations showed that higher educational attainment was associated with improved self-rated health (r = .336, p < .001) and fewer depressive symptoms (r = -.143, p < .001). Conducted multivariate analyses denoted a significant direct effect of education on self-rated health (B = 0.122, p < .001). The inclusion of the mediator significantly reduced the predictive power of depressive symptoms for reduced self-rated health (B = -0.421, p < .001), while the direct effect of education decreased to (B = 0.111), an indication of partial mediation. Continued gender- and race-based health disparities were observed in the fully adjusted model (R2 = .173, F(4, 9895) = 517.04, p < .001). These findings suggest that late-life mental health functions as a vital structural mechanism connecting socioeconomic factors to physical health perceptions, proposing that public health policies should integrate geriatric mental health interventions into their care system.

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The short article deals with the issue of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in broad sense focusing on the process of its dissemination among the masses. It builds on the largest health survey in India, the National Family Health Survey. The other scheme that the article banks upon is the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) which catalyzed the users because of its access in the cost & geographic factors through the provision of sanitary pads. The third issue that it deals with is the encouragement to go back to the basics through the use of dry, clean, homemade cotton cloth as the main vehicle in the MHM process. Primarily, the target group for MHM is the ‘Menarche’ group that covers the mid teen age.

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Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas) are benign growths made of the uterine smooth muscle. It is a common problem that causes significant health issues in women of reproductive age. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt of glutamine acid, found in processed foods like instant noodles, canned meats, etc. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) a fruit with numerous benefits, which is rich in nutrients, fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-microbial properties, and rich in anti-oxidants. Forty-eight (48) animals were used for this study. The animals weighed 120 ± 20g. Animals were grouped into eight (8) groups: Control group- received 0.5mls of distilled water orally for 2 weeks; Fibroid Induced group- received 200mg/kg of MSG intraperitoneally for 2 weeks; Breadfruit low dose group- received 500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks; Breadfruit high dose group- received 1500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks; MSG + Low dose group- received 200mg/kg of MSG intraperitoneally for 2 weeks + 500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks; MSG + High dose group- received 200mg/kg of MSG intraperitoneally for 2 weeks +1500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks; Low dose + MSG group- received 500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks + 200mg/kg of MSG intraperitoneally for 2 weeks; High dose + MSG group- received 1500mg/kg of breadfruit extract orally for 2 weeks +200mg/kg of MSG intraperitoneally for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration using chloroform. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. The uterus was harvested and fixed. Data obtained was expressed as mean ± SD, values were considered statistically significant when P≤0.05. From the therapeutic study, the results showed that the extract reduced the estrogen and progesterone level. From the prophylactic study, the results showed that the estrogen level reduced significantly. Statistically significant difference was not observe