There is a rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. NCDs been documented as a growing cause of death and disability in South Africa. There is also documented evidence that demographic profiles of South African population are important factor influencing the future incidence of NCDs in South Africa. The impact of obesity has become important public health issue with links to culture and traditional practices.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate documented evidence on physiotherapy in advocacy in the management of NCDs in typical African community.

Methodology

This study used systematic review. Data bases were searched using the following keywords NCDs, Physiotherapy, Culture, exercises. There were eleven articles that were critically appraised of which four articles were excluded and seven met the data extraction criterion and were used to answer the review question.

Data analysis

Critical Appraisal skills Programme (CASP) for qualitative studies and Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) for quantitative studies were used in this study for evaluation purposes. Scoring was done by three researchers and they reached agreement through negotiating.  Evidence was graded from good/ strong evidence to evidence not assignable

Sources

The following data bases were used in the study Google scholar Science direct, on Ebscohost Academic search premier, Africa wide information, Cinahl, Eric, Health source-consumer edition, Health source –nursing or academic edition, master file premier and Medline.

Results

Outcomes from this study revealed no formal advocacy approach by physiotherapists in the management of NCDs. The influence of culture on NCDs was documented.

Conclusion: The prescription of exercises should take cognizance of different cultures. Physiotherapist as leaders and advocates of exercise prescriptions should define common grounds in the inter-professional approach in the care of persons with NCDs. Physiotherapists should play more roles in Socio-cultural aspects of health in the education of the Community in the prevention of NCDs.

Relevance

The role of physiotherapy in the management of complications associated with NCDs and hypokinetic disorders cannot be over-emphasized. Different cultural practices are documented across African population. The Botsetse tradition of purifying mother and child in the Batswana tradition has also encouraged obesity. Reports on the historical perspective about the eradication of traditional food in East Africa and Morocco were found.

Keywords: Culture and Health, Physiotherapy, Sociology of Health and illness, Non Communicable Disease