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Published:
Mar 25, 2024DOI:
10.4314/gmj.v58i1.13Keywords:
Article Details
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Main Article Content
Knowledge, attitude and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises in knee osteoarthritis management in Nigeria
Abstract
Background: In Nigeria, there is a disparity among physiotherapists regarding therapeutic exercise as a core treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists could influence this.
Objective: To investigate Nigerian physiotherapists’ knowledge, attitude, and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises
Design: A mixed-method of cross-sectional survey and focus group discussion.
Setting: Secondary and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria
Participants: Physiotherapists consecutively sampled from the selected institutions.
Main outcome measures: Participants’ knowledge, attitude and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises for the management of knee OA
Results: This study revealed that 81% of physiotherapists in Nigeria had a fair knowledge of evidence-based practice and the efficacy of therapeutic exercises in managing knee OA. Despite this fair knowledge, 95.3% had a poor attitude. The important emerging categories/themes are treatment preference, clinical experience, and strength of evidence.
Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Nigeria have a fair knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic exercises in managing patients with knee OA, although there is a poor attitude and disparity between the use and current recommendations.
