Last modified: 2013-06-10
Abstract
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PRINCIPLES OF EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN NIGERIA.
OKAFOR UAC, AWETO HA, ADEWOLE HA
Physiotherapy Department, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos
Correspondence: Okafor UAC
Email- uacokafor@cmul.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
Background: Exercise prescription is a major tool in the physiotherapist's repertoire of treatment techniques. Whereas a significant growth has been associated with the awareness and acceptability of physiotherapy techniques and practice in the past few decades, so little is reported in the literature about the knowledge, attitude and practice of the principles of exercise prescription among physiotherapists in Nigeria.
Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of the principles of exercise prescription among physiotherapists in Nigeria.
Method: A total of 300 practicing physiotherapists in Nigeria participated in the study. They were required to complete a 31-item questionnaire which collected information on socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude and practice of the principles of exercise prescription. Data was represented using pie charts, frequency and percentages while Chi –Square was used to determine the association between the variables.
Result: The results revealed that the level of knowledge and practice of the physiotherapists is high. Their attitude towards exercise prescription was also found to be good. Further, no significant relationship was found between the level of education and knowledge of exercise prescription among Physiotherapists in Nigeria. There was also no significant relationship between their years of practice experience and knowledge of exercise prescription.
Conclusion: Majority of physiotherapists in Nigeria have a good knowledge, attitude and practice of the principles of exercise prescription.
Keywords: Exercise prescription, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Physiotherapist, Nigeria