OKHUAHESUYI EGUAGIE

Background: Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) play a crucial role in physiotherapy rehabilitation by promoting recovery beyond clinical settings. Despite their proven benefits, patient adherence remains inconsistent. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and adherence to prescribed home- based exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 184 physiotherapy outpatients selected through purposive sampling, across the following units (Orthopeadics, Neurosurgery, Neuromedicine, Geriatrics and Cardiopulmonary). Data were obtained using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) and a structured Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents’ characteristics, while inferential tests (Pearson’s correlation, t-test, ANOVA) assessed relationships and differences between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 60.8 ± 21.3 years, with 95 (51.6%) females and 89 (48.4%) males. Most respondents were married (65.8%) and self-employed (46.7%). The most common conditions managed were neurological (44.6%) and musculoskeletal disorders (43.5%). The predominant home exercise prescribed was strengthening exercises (75.0%), followed by stretching (58.7%) and balance training (28.3%). Nearly all participants (97.3%) received one- on-one exercise instruction from physiotherapists. Findings showed moderate levels of knowledge, attitude, and adherence to HBEPs. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and adherence (p < 0.05), and between attitude and adherence (p < 0.05). However, age showed a significant negative correlation with adherence (r = –0.189, p = 0.01), while gender, marital status, occupation, and health condition had no significant relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adherence to home exercise programs among physiotherapy outpatients at UBTH was moderate and significantly influenced by patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and age. Enhancing patient education, improving motivation, and developing age-tailored intervention strategies may strengthen adherence and rehabilitation outcomes.

Background: Spinal pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder globally and a major cause of disability among young adults, including university students. Factors such as sedentary lifestyle, prolonged sitting, poor posture and physical inactivity have been implicated. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and spinal pain among students of
the school of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 356 undergraduate students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric indices, physical
activity levels and spinal pain prevalence were collected using standadized questionnaires. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.49 ± 2.22 years. Most participants (74.4%) engaged in physical activity, and the majority had moderate (45.5%) or high (37.9%) activity levels. The 12-month prevalence of lower back pain was 50.5%, neck pain 34.8% and upper back pain 27.5%. There was no significant association between physical activity level and the prevalence of spinal pain (p<0.05). However, gender showed a significant association with lower back pain (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Spinal pain, especially low back pain, is common among students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, irrespective of physical activity level. Preventive interventions focusing on posture, ergonomics and spinal health education are recommended.