TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Knowledge, practices and perceived barriers of physiotherapists involved in disaster management: a cross-sectional survey of Nigeria-based and trained physiotherapists JO - International health A1 - Ojukwu, Chidiebele P. A1 - Eze, Obumneke G. A1 - Uduonu, Ekezie M. A1 - Okemuo, Adaora J. A1 - Umunnah, Joseph O. A1 - Ede, Stephen S. A1 - Onuchukwu, Chioma L. A1 - Anekwu, Emelie M. A1 - Ezeigwe, Anne U. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - BACKGROUND: Disasters represent substantial health risks to the human population. Proper interventions at all stages of disaster management (DM) are essential for human-related outcomes. The role of physiotherapy in DM should not be underestimated, but unfortunately information on the involvement of physiotherapists in DM is limited in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS: One hundred and fifty Nigeria-based and trained physiotherapists were recruited to complete a questionnaire investigating the knowledge, practices and perceived barriers of the role of physiotherapists in DM.

RESULTS: Physiotherapists had moderate knowledge of their role at every stage of DM. However, their involvement in specific DM-related activities during various stages of DM in the country was low. Major barriers to the involvement of physiotherapists in DM included a lack of established government policies on the integration of physiotherapists in DM (90.0%) and a lack of specialty clinical practice areas in DM (89.3%). For improved involvement of physiotherapists in DM in Nigeria, respondents recommended creating an awareness of the role of physiotherapists in DM (91.3%), providing continuous education programmes on DM (90.6%) and inclusion of DM in physiotherapy training programmes in Nigeria (90.0%).

CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists perceived that they are not adequately involved in DM in Nigeria, despite their moderate knowledge of their role during DM.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1876-3413 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihab019 ID - ref1 ER -