Misconception

Background: Physiotherapy is an essential component of healthcare, yet public understanding of its role remains limited. In Nigeria, physiotherapy remains underutilised partly due to poor awareness and misconceptions about what the profession entails. Many adults in various communities may not seek physiotherapy because they do not know what it is, do not believe it works, or associate it with limited conditions.Purpose: The aim was to assess awareness, perceptions, misconceptions, sources of information, and the relationship between demographic factors and understanding of physiotherapy, by members of the public.Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire administered to 400 participants, while qualitative insights were obtained from interviews with 10 participants. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and thematic analysis.Results: Findings showed that awareness of physiotherapy was moderate, with many respondents unable to clearly define its scope. Perceptions were generally positive, as participants recognized physiotherapy’s role in stroke rehabilitation, pain management, and mobility restoration. However, misconceptions were widespread, including equating physiotherapy with massage therapy or bone setting and believing that physiotherapy must be painful to be effective. The dominant sources of information were informal (radio/TV, family and friends, community gatherings), while health professionals were less frequently cited. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between demographic factors (age, gender, education, occupation, religion) and either perception or misconception of physiotherapy. Conclusion: Physiotherapy is moderately known but poorly understood among residents of Egor LGA, with misconceptions cutting across all demographic groups. There is urgent need for structured public education campaigns and increased visibility of physiotherapists in healthcare. It is recommended that health authorities, professional associations, and physiotherapists themselves actively engage in awareness creation to correct misconceptions and promote physiotherapy as a vital part of healthcare delivery in Nigeria