The novel Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruption of several activities globally. It has resulted in lockdown of economic activities in most countries including Nigeria. The effects of the pandemic and the associated lockdown on the mental health status of Nigerian students have not taken into perspective in the control efforts. This study was conducted to assess the burden of the psychological problems associated with COVID-19 pandemic and coping strategies among students at Bowen University, Iwo (BUI), Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and multi-stage sampling technique employed to recruit 433 eligible respondents. Validated online self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information from respondents. Appropriate summary statistics were carried out, and Binary logistic regression model was developed to examine protective/risk-factors of decreased mental wellbeing among the respondents. Mean age of the respondents was 20.11 ± 2.9 years, almost three-quarter (72.7%) of them were females. In all, 55.0% of the respondents had decreased psychological wellbeing because of the lockdown. Protective factors against decreased mental wellbeing included online catting with friends/watching films (OR=0.22, 95%CI=1.37-3.59), and participating in online vocational training (OR=0.25, 95%CI=0.25-0.61). The odds of decreased mental wellbeing was significantly higher in students who indicated a need for substance use as coping strategy(OR=1.50, 95%CI=0.55-4.05), and those who were not satisfied with online teaching method (OR=5.34, 95%CI=4.13-9.18).The mental health impacts of COVID-19 on the Nigerian students is huge. Thus, psychological wellbeing of the Nigerian students should be taken into cognizance and prioritized in the post-COVID-19 national rebuilding strategies. Keywords: Covid-19, Determinants, Depression, Mental wellbeing, Mental disorders, Suicide

IntroductionThe study was conducted to determine the challenges and suggest solutions to conducting free cervical cancer screening among Nigerian women.MethodsAwareness was created among women groups and mass media in Osun State for women to undergo free cervical cancer screening programme. Consenting women had their socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and uptake of HPV vaccine documented and papanicolaou smear procedure done with adequate referral for treatment given where necessary.ResultsA total of 287 women had cervical cancer screening. Mean (SD) age was 51.6 (14.3) years. Most participants were urban based (87.1%), married (63.1%), had secondary education (39%) and were traders (79.1%). None of the women were aware of the preventive HPV vaccine or had been vaccinated against HPV. About 6% were pre-invasive while 0.7% had invasive cervical cancer. The highest proportions of respondents affected were young, married and had lower education. Challenges identified included poor attendance, low risk perception and logistic issues.ConclusionMost participants were urban based. There is need to decentralize cancer of cervix screening through mobile clinics and establishment of screening centres in the rural areas. Neighbour to neighbour sensitization is essential. Also, HPV vaccine should be available and affordable to all girls before sexual maturity.

Background: Unintended pregnancies resulting in several maternal morbidities and mortalities are still a major public health challenge in most parts of the world. Female secondary school students are particularly vulnerable due to their engagement in unsafe sex and low uptake of family planning services. The study assessed respondents’ level of knowledge on, attitude to and practice of family planning.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 consenting female junior secondary school students in two public schools in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling method was employed in recruiting the study participants and facilitated self-administered semi-structured questionnaire used for data collection. Descriptive statistics was done and Chi-square test used to compare categorical variables. The level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 13.6±2.3 and 69.5% of them were early adolescents (10-13years of age). Almost all (92.3%) of the respondents were aware of family planning but only 58.1% and 55.3% of them had good knowledge on and positive attitudes towards family planning respectively. In all, 64.0% of the sexually active respondents had ever used family planning. Condom was the commonest family planning method ever used; reported by 65.0% of those who had ever used family planning. Fear of side effects was the main reason among non-users.Conclusions: Family planning uptake among sexually active female students is low in Southwest Nigeria. There is urgent need for aggressive awareness campaigns to improve the knowledge score and attitude of students to family planning in Nigeria.

This study examined the knowledge on functional value of edible insect in per urban communities of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area (LGA) in  Ogun State. Sixty residents were selected through purposive sampling from 11 communities in the LGA. Primary data collected through   administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and frequency count were used. Hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that about half (48.3%) of the respondents were between 31-40 years. A larger percentage was male (61.7%) and Christian (61.7%). Majority (68%) was married and 63.3% possess tertiary education. About one third of the respondents (33.3%) were civil servants and 28.3% earn between ₦41,000-₦60,000. Cricket, termite, palm weevil, yam beetle, caterpillar, silkworm, and locust respectively were the identified indigenous species of insects being consumed by the people. Also, more of the respondents eat crickets followed by locust and then termites. The results further revealed respondents’ knowledge of functional values of edible insects’ consumption and constraints to edible insects’ consumption. The results of the Pearson Product Moment  Correlation revealed that there is no significant relationship between respondent’s socio-economic characteristics’ and their edible insect  consumption at p < 0.05. This study concludes that residents of peri urban communities have good knowledge of functional values of edible insects. It is therefore recommended that there should be more awareness on consumption of edible insects since it is nutritious so that people can benefit from the numerous nutrients of these edible insects. Key words: functional value, edible insect, Ijebu Ode, pearson product moment correlation

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