KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK FACTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

Peptic ulcer is a major public health problem as a result of its high prevalence around the globe. This study was carried out to ascertain the level of knowledge of peptic ulcer, its risk factors and management among undergraduates in a tertiary institution, Benin City, Edo state. A well-structured questionnaire on thematic areas of the condition, including types, etiology, symptoms, predisposing factors, differential diagnosis, complications, diagnosis and treatment was used  to  assess  the participants’ knowledge.  Using a cross sectional survey design, 402 undergraduates were involved in the study using convenient sampling method. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and inferential statistics such as Chi square, multivariate logistic regression and anova to test hypothesis at 5% level of significance. Conclusion: Findings of this study shows that majority of the respondents 319 (79.4%) have poor knowledge,72 (17.9%) have fair knowledge, and 11(2.7%) have good knowledge of peptic ulcer. This indicates a poor  knowledge  of  PUD among  the  students,  hence  a  need  for  improvement in  curriculum  and implementation to compensate for this knowledge gap. It also reflects the need to strengthen public health education about PUD because of its potential for causing morbidity and mortality.The study however also identified that there is a significant association between department and knowledge of peptic ulcer but no significant association between gender and knowledge of management of peptic ulcer.