KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Authors

  • Ihegihu Ebere Yvonne Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Iwuno Onyebuchi Emmanuel Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Okoye Emmanuel Chiebuka Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Okonkwo Uchenna Prosper Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Chukwuka Benjamin Uzodinma Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Amaechi Ifeoma Adaigwe Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Akobundu Uzoamaka Nwakego Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Physiotherapy, community, knowledge, attitude, practice

Abstract

Background: Community-dwellers are often in need of physiotherapy and rehabilitation for non-communicable disease conditions particularly chronic low back pain and cerebrovascular accidents. However, the access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation in rural areas is grossly inadequate.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to ascertain the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of community physiotherapy amongst physiotherapists in southeastern Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 81 physiotherapists possessing at least 2 years of clinical experience were consecutively sampled from 10 conveniently selected hospitals in the 5 southeastern states. We assessed participants using a validated self-administered Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire. We summarized data using the statistics of percentage, mean and standard deviation. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to test the influence of selected socio-demographic characteristics on knowledge, attitude and practice of Community Physiotherapy. Spearman rank-order correlation was used to test for the relationship among knowledge, attitude and practice of community physiotherapy.

Results: The mean age of participants (females = 57, males =43) was 36.3±6.5 years. Good knowledge (84.30±6.79%) and attitude (84.35±5.85%) and fair practice (74.76±9.33%) of community physiotherapy were observed among the study participants. There were significant correlations among knowledge, attitude and practice of community physiotherapy among physiotherapists (p<0.05). Factors constituting a hindrance to the assimilation of community physiotherapy were poor remuneration and lack of basic social infrastructure.

Conclusions: There is good knowledge and a good attitude and fair practice of community physiotherapy among physiotherapists in our settings. Efforts should be made to address the hindrances to community physiotherapy.

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Published

24-06-2022

How to Cite

Ihegihu, E. Y., Iwuno, O. E., Okoye, E. C., Okonkwo, U. P., Chukwuka, B. U., Amaechi, I. A., & Akobundu, U. N. (2022). KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. Journal of Biomedical Investigation, 10(2), 75–82. Retrieved from https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jbi/article/view/1524

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Articles

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