Musculoskeletal Disorders, Market Women, Physiotherapy, Barriers, Facilitators, Access to Healthcare, Nigeria

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of disability, particularly among individuals in physically demanding occupations like market trading. Market women in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Benin City, are exposed to risk factors such as prolonged standing and heavy lifting, yet many do not access orthopaedic physiotherapy services. This study aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators influencing their access to these essential services. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 374 market women selected via convenience sampling from markets in Oredo LGA. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation), with the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: The study found a high prevalence of MSDs among respondents, with low back pain (80.5%), general body pain (80.7%), and joint pain (79.7%) being the most common. Key barriers to accessing physiotherapy included long waiting times (70.1%), distance to clinics (56.2%), and lack of awareness (53.4%). Major facilitators were affordability (81.3%), proximity of services (79.1%), and positive social testimonials (77.6%). Socio-demographic factors such as education and awareness significantly influenced service utilization, while income and marital status had less impact. Conclusion: Market women in Oredo LGA experience a high burden of MSDs, but their access to physiotherapy is hampered primarily by systemic and informational barriers. To improve utilization, community-based awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and strategies enhancing affordability and proximity are recommended.