Physiotherapy

Background: Developmental milestones mark a child’s progress in physical,cognitive , language and social abilities, typically achieved within specific age ranges. Delayed developmental milestones (DDM), affecting 8 -12% of children aged 0-5 in Nigeria can stem from birth complications, genetic disorders, neurological conditions, poor nutrition and environmental factors. Physiotherapy is crucial for early intervention, improving motor functions and quality of life in children with DDM, such as cerebral palsy. Caregiver’s knowledge and attitude significantly influence the success of physiotherapy, yet in Nigeria, cultural beliefs, limited information and financial constraints often hinder it’s utilization. Aim: This study was done to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of caregivers towards physiotherapy for children with delayed developmental milestones in University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted, recruiting 94 caregivers of children with DDM at University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a self administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic questionnaire and a self developed questionnaire based on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) model assessing knowledge and attitudes towards physiotherapy. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: Sixty one (64.9%) of caregivers had good knowledge of physiotherapy, though gaps existed in understanding the causes and goals. A total of ninety one (97.9%) displayed positive attitudes towards physiotherapy. Educational level was significantly associated with knowledge (p < 0.001). Major barriers to participation included financial limitations, transportation difficulties , lack of understanding and work schedule conflict. Conclusion: Caregivers possess good knowledge and positive attitudes towards physiotherapy, with educational level influencing knowledge. However, financial and transportation difficulties hinder its utilization, suggesting the need for targeted education and support programs to enhance treatment outcomes

Background: Residency training is a supervised postgraduate medical program in Nigeria designed to prepare doctors for specialization. Resident doctors play a critical role in patient management and interdisciplinary collaboration, including aiding referral to rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy. However, evidence suggests that the utilization of physiotherapy services largely depends on physicians’ awareness and perception of its role. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of physiotherapy among resident doctors in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 169 resident doctors in UBTH, selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated instruments. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of physiotherapy, perception of the profession, and factors influencing both. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v26). Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to summarize responses. Results: Of the 169 participants, 62.1% were male and 49.1% were aged 31–45 years. Most respondents (89.9%) identified a degree as the qualification required to practice physiotherapy, and 59.8% reported five years of training. However, 74.0% believed that a doctor’s referral was mandatory before patients could access physiotherapy. While 96.4% recognized physiotherapy as essential in rehabilitation and 60.9% considered it first-line management for musculoskeletal disorders, only 41.4% had personally consulted physiotherapists. Overall, 62.1% demonstrated satisfactory perception of physiotherapy, while 32.0% exhibited good perception. Key factors influencing knowledge and perception included clinical case outcomes (55.0%), interprofessional communication (55.0%), and research findings (46.2%).
Conclusion: Resident doctors in UBTH demonstrated good knowledge and largely positive perception of physiotherapy, although misconceptions about physiotherapy autonomy and limited awareness of practice settings persist. Strengthening undergraduate exposure, interprofessional education, and clinical collaboration may improve referral practices and enhance integration of physiotherapy in patient care.