DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

Background: Physical disabilities resulting from stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) pose significant challenges to affected individuals, yet comparative assessments of these conditions remain limited in Nigeria. Understanding the determinants of disability in these populations is crucial for developing targeted rehabilitation strategies. Aims: This study aimed to compare the level of physical disability and its determinants among stroke survivors, SCI patients, and TBI patients, providing insights into their unique rehabilitation needs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 60 participants (20 per group). Data on demographic and health variables were collected using structured questionnaires and validated tools, including the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). One-way ANOVA was used to identify significant differences among groups. Results: The mean age of participants was 56.27 ± 10.70 years, with a mean condition duration of 5.60 ± 6.85 years the average score for the general health status (GS) was 32.05 ± 9.0. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) had a mean score of 21.65 ± 13.6. WHODAS scores suggested moderate disability across groups, with SCI patients showing higher scores, although not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Cognitive function remained preserved across all groups, as evidenced by high MMSE scores (mean: 29.97). the mean PHQ score was 5.70. ±4.3, the mean for PSS was 18.95 ±6.3, the mean BBS was 28.62 ±24.27. Conclusion: SCI patients exhibit greater impairments in balance and mobility compared to stroke and TBI patients.

Background / Purpose of the Study: Physiotherapy has proven effective in managing musculoskeletal conditions; however, awareness and utilisation of such services among Basic Medical Students at the University of Benin remains underexplored. Methods / Procedure: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed involving 336 Basic Medical Students selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using an adapted questionnaire on awareness and utilization of physiotherapy services from a previous study and analysed using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages and Chi-square tests to examine associations between awareness, utilisation, and sociodemographic factors. Results: This study found out that all participants were familiar with the term physiotherapy. The primary sources of information were academic settings (40.8%) and physiotherapists (25.9%). A majority (57.1%) recognized physiotherapists as healthcare providers who treat patients, although misconceptions about their roles were evident. Utilisation was low, with 32.7% having used physiotherapy services, primarily for knee and low back pain. Ignorance about physiotherapy was identified as the major barrier to utilisation. Significant associations were found between awareness and factors such as gender (P= 0.020, X2= 9.28) and level of study (P= 0.043, X2= 37.79), indicating variation in knowledge sources and depth. Despite low utilization, attitudes towards physiotherapy were predominantly positive, with 97.6% willing to recommend the services. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for enhanced health education and policy strategies to improve awareness and encourage utilisation of physiotherapy services among Basic Medical Students, which may contribute to better management of musculoskeletal pain and improved academic outcomes.

Background: The hamstring muscles are primarily the flexors of the knee and can also take part in the extension of the hip and require a good degree of flexibility to do so. The sit-and-reach test is a field test used to measure hamstring and low back flexibility.
Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating hamstring flexibility among undergraduates of the University of Benin. Method: This ex-post-facto study recruited 400 volunteers (200 males and 200 females) healthy undergraduates, aged between 17-30 years old. A tape measure and digital weighing scale were used to collect data for the selected anthropometric variables -Height, Weight, BMI, Upper limb length, Lower limb length, and Trunk length. Sit-and- Reach test was performed on a mat; agoniometer was used to assess for Active Hip range of motion. Data collected were summarized using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, An Independent T-test was used to ascertain the difference between males and females for the Sit-and-Reach test and Active Hip range of motion, and A Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to examine the relationship between some anthropometric variables on Sit-and-Reach test and Active Hip active range of motion. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Result: The findings revealed that there were no significant gender differences in Sit-and-Reach test scores (p=0.063) and Active Hip Range of Motion (p=0.096). There was positive significant
correlations between sit-and -reach test scores and Upper limb length (p=0.0001), lower limb length (p=0.0001) and trunk length (p=0.005), and between Active Hip Range of Motion and height (p=0.0001), lower limb length (p=0.0001) and trunk length (p=0.005), There was positive significant correlation between BMI (P=0.004) and active hip range of motion but no significant
correlation with Sit-and-Reach test (p=0.258), trunk length (p=0.143) showed no significant correlation with active hip range of motion. Height showed no significant correlation with both tests.
Conclusion: This study provided the average value of hamstring flexibility among male and female were within the normal range. Anthropometric factors such as upper limb length, lower limb length, BMI and trunk length correlated with hamstring flexibility among Nigeria adults. However, the pattern of correlation varies between sit and reach test and active hip range of motion. There was no significant correlation between height and both tests.

Background/Aim: Physical activity (PA) is vital for health promotion, yet its knowledge, ttitudes, and practices (KAP) remain sub-optimal among university students globally. his study aimed to assess the KAP of physical activity among undergraduate students at the University of Benin and explore barriers to their engagement. Methods: A descriptive ss-ectional study design was employed, and data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 398 undergraduate students. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a validated KAP tool were used to assess physical activity levels, knowledge, attitudes, and practices respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study revealed that 61% of participants had w knowledge of physical activity, while only 8.3% demonstrated high knowledge. Most articipants (73.1%) engaged in moderate activity, while 18.1% were inactive, and 8.8% engaged in high levels of physical activity. Misconceptions persisted, with 19.6% perceiving physical activity as potentially harmful. Lack of time (84.7%) and motivation 2.8%) ere the most reported barriers to engagement. Gender and academic level significantly influenced physical activity practices (p < 0.05), with male and lower-level students participating more actively. Conclusion: Knowledge and practices of physical activity among students were sub-optimal, with notable misconceptions and barriers influencing engagement. Targeted health education campaigns, accessible activity programs, and institutional support are essential to addressing these gaps and promoting physical activity among students.

Background: Menopause marks a significant transition in women’s lives, often accompanied by physiological, psychological, and social challenges that impact quality of life. Postmenopausal women often struggle to meet recommended physical activity levels due to barriers such as lack of motivation, time constraints, and inadequate facilities. Conversely, facilitators such as social support and health awareness can encourage participation. This study explores the perceived barriers and facilitators of physical activity among postmenopausal women within an academic environment. Aim: This study aims to investigate the perceived barriers and facilitators influencing physical activity participation among postmenopausal women at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated the perceived barriers and facilitators of physical activity among postmenopausal women at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Fifty participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire (PABQ), and Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Among the respondents, 44% demonstrated high physical activity levels, 38% moderate, and 18% low. The mean self-efficacy, barriers, quality of life, and metabolic equivalent scores were 44.02±9.20, 88.28±18.09, 90.34±7.44, and 2961.93±3730.76, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed no significant relationships between barriers and physical activity levels (p=0.539) or self-efficacy and activity levels (p=0.105). Additionally, a positive but non- significant relationship was observed between physical activity levels and quality of life (p=0.080). Conclusion: The study concluded that perceived barriers and facilitators had non-significant relationships with physical activity levels and quality of life among postmenopausal women in the University of Benin. While demographic factors such as education and marital status likely mediate these associations, the findings emphasize the complexity of physical activity behaviors in this population. There is a need to address individual and contextual factors to better
understand and promote physical activity

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of pain, disability, and
reduced quality of life worldwide. Despite evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity (PA) in managing KOA, many patients remain inactive. Identifying predictors of PA among this population is essential for developing tailored interventions.
Aim: This study investigated the predictors of physical activity levels among patients with knee osteoarthritis attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 participants diagnosed with KOA. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected on socio-demographic (age, sex, education), clinical (pain severity, duration of symptoms, comorbidities), and psychological variables (kinesiophobia, anxiety, depression). Instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, including Chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: About half of the respondents (50%) had moderate PA, while smaller
proportions had low (11.1%) or high (38.9%) PA levels. Most patients reported high kinesiophobia, and mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety showed a significant association with PA (P < 0.001), whereas socio-demographic, clinical, and other psychological factors were not significantly related. Regression analysis showed that none of the variables independently predicted PA levels.
Conclusion: Most patients with KOA were moderately active despite reporting high levels of kinesiophobia. Anxiety was related to PA but was not an independent predictor. Overall, PA appears to be influenced by multiple interacting factors, highlighting the need for holistic management strategies that address both physical and psychological aspects.