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In a cross-sectional survey of ten commercial banks in Lagos State, Nigeria, a 30-item self-report questionnaire was used to evaluate bank workers’ (n = 182) physical fitness knowledge, attitudes and exercise practices. Data analysis indicated that 170 (93.41%) bankers had a good knowledge of physical fitness, while 172 (94.50%) had positive attitudes towards being physically active. The majority (126; 69.33%) of the participants engaged in exercise activities once weekly, and also felt strongly that fitness training programmes are challenging (149; 81.87%). Results further showed a significant association (X2=16.31; p

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) refers to a clinical disorder caused by a new coronavirus that emerged in late 2019. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as of June 23 2020, over 15 million confirmed cases of patients with COVID-19 have been reported globally, out of which over 600,000 deaths were recorded. The management of patients with COVID-19 is critical. This position paper was prepared through online search for the available guideline in the literature to serve as treatment guidelines for Nigerian physiotherapists and possibly physiotherapists in Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Background: Clinical communication impacts on physiotherapy treatment outcome and its competence warrants being assessed during training for physiotherapists given the increasing need to improve patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the assessment of clinical communication in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Nigeria. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, questionnaires were sent by e-mail or hand-delivered to the heads of physiotherapy programs, asking them to consult with faculty members involved in the assessment of clinical communication in undergraduate education. Results: Six of seven physiotherapy programs responded (an 86% response rate). Assessment of clinical communication and methods of assessing clinical communication by the programs showed wide variation. There was an average of two assessments per year. The objective structured clinical examination with patients (21; 38%) and written communications (report/chart) (13; 23%) were the most commonly used assessment methods. Perceived challenges included a lack of facilities, validity, inexperienced examiners, and difficulties in integrating processes and content. Conclusion: A variety of assessment methods are being used in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Nigeria, which target different components of clinical communication skills acquisition. More effort is needed to improve limited facilities and human resources training to enhance clinical communication assessment in Nigerian physiotherapy programs.

Background and Purpose: There is currently no culturally appropriate instrument to assess Nigerian physiotherapists’ knowledge and attributes of professionalism. This study sets out to develop a psychometric instrument to assess the knowledge and attributes of professionalism of Nigerian physiotherapists, and to investigate the instrument's readability, stability, and internal consistency. Methods: A Professionalism Inventory with eight demographic questions, ten knowledge of professionalism questions and sixteen attributes of professionalism perception-based statements was developed. The attributes of professionalism scale assess clinical competence, a spirit of inquiry, accountability, autonomy, advocacy, innovation and visionary, collegiality and collaboration, and ethics and values. The Inventory was completed on two occasions, after two-week interval, by 91 Nigerian physiotherapists. Results: The Inventory’s average grade reading level was 10. The intra class correlation coefficient (ICC 3, 1) for the knowledge of professionalism scale ranged from “moderate” (0.421, p

Background: The pattern of various seat differs in many ways, however, the ergonomic design of chairs ensures proper weight distribution of the occupant. Therefore, for classroom furniture to perform the function for which it was designed, namely weight bearing and stabilisation of the body both in static and dynamic seating, it has to be ergonomically designed. Objective: To evaluate the ergonomic properties of furniture in two selected Faculties; the Faculty of Law (FL) and the Faculty of Health Science (FHS) of a Nigerian university. Materials and Methods: Forty furniture (20 furniture each from the two Faculties) in the University of Nigeria, Enugu State, South-east Nigeria were randomly selected. Ten parameters were measured. The mean, standard deviation, arithmetic difference, percentage match and mismatch were calculated using an established standard. Result: In five of the ten parameters considered, there are mismatch to (seat height, seat width, desk clearance, seat-to-desk distance and lumbar support) for FL and eight (seat height, seat depth, seat width, desk clearance, lumbar support, seat to desk, desk height, pan tilt) for FHS when compared to standard. Therefore, 50% match was seen in FL and 20% in FHS. T-Test shows significant difference between seat parameters in FL and FHS. Conclusion: More than 50% of the classroom furniture in FL was more ergonomically accurate compared to the 20% ergonomically accurate furniture in FHS. Furniture in the FL posed less ergonomic hazard than FHS. Replacement of these furniture are therefore recommended.

Background: Literature is replete with the reports of adverse impacts of smartphones on physical, psychological and mental health of users. Hence, the knowledge of the risks associated with smartphones and the proper ergonomics adopted during its usage may be an important preventive tool. This study investigated the knowledge and practice of proper ergonomic posture during smartphone use by undergraduate students of a university medical college. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical survey involving 231 undergraduate students of a university college of medicine. The instrument was a 21-item self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies and comprised of four sections. Section A collected information on the sociodemographic data of participants; Section B, on smartphone use by participants; Section C, on their knowledge of proper ergonomic posture during smartphone use and Section D, on their practice of proper ergonomic posture. Data were presented using the descriptive statistics of mean and percentages with the level of significance at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Almost a third of the respondents 66 (28.6%) use their phones 4–6 h daily, whereas nearly one-third of the respondents use their phones for >12 h daily. Furthermore, majority of the respondents 124 (56.7%) have poor knowledge of proper standing ergonomic posture, 194 (84.0%) have poor knowledge of proper sitting ergonomic posture, whereas 149 (64.5%) have poor knowledge of proper wrist ergonomic posture. More than half of the respondents 126 (54.7%) do not have good practice of proper ergonomic posture when using smartphones. Conclusion: Medical college students possess poor knowledge or practice of proper ergonomic posture during smartphone use. Furthermore, more than half of the respondents do not practice proper ergonomic posture while using their smartphone.

Background Back pain has been identified as a common cause of disability in the working population. Automotive mechanics habitually use awkward back posture in their course of manual activity and hence may be at risk of work-related back pain. Objective To investigate the prevalence, pattern and severity of back pain among automotive maintenance mechanics, as well as the personal and job variables associated with or predicting occurrence of back pain. Method Using a cross-sectional design, information about self-reported back pain and the associated variables were collected among 684 randomly recruited automotive mechanics. Result Prevalence of back pain was 76.02%; with the majority experiencing low back pain. 63.3% of the workers reported they limited their activity due to the back pain. Older workers (>50 years), daily work lasting ≥5 hours duration, no more than primary education, being normal weight, frequent use of kneeling and sustained postures, and lack of knowledge of ergonomic postures were associated with increased prevalence of back pain. Lack of job autonomy, inadequate task clarity, heavy physical work load, manual material handling, strenuous posture, noisy environment, vibrations, work schedule and inadequate auxiliary support were also associated with increased prevalence of back pain among the mechanics. Conclusion Work-related back pain is prevalent among automotive maintenance mechanics. Work-related back pain is high among automotive maintenance mechanics. Workstation policy and legislation on reduction of risks with combined health literacy and ergonomic education programs in this occupational group are imperative.

Background: In the last two decades, physiotherapy profession in many countries has transitioned their entry-level education to a Master’s or doctoral degree levels. Given these changes, there is a new need to discern the profile of physiotherapist educators in different countries. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the profile of the physiotherapist lecturers from Anglophone West African countries and to compare the data with their USA counterparts. Methods: The Head of Department of all the physiotherapy programs in West African universities (N = 14) completed a questionnaire that sought information on the University’s debut date and ownership, faculty gender, educational qualification and academic rank. Results: The vast majority (93%) of the physiotherapy programs surveyed are located in public universities. There were 126 lecturers employed in the programs surveyed (average of 9 lecturers per program). In Nigeria, 72% of the lecturers were men, but in Ghana there was an equal (50:50) split between men and women. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the lecturers in Nigeria had a Ph.D. and 32% were with MS degree. Thirty-four percent (34%) were a Senior lecturer, 19% Lecturer I, 10% Associate Professor/Reader and 10% Professor. More Nigerian lecturers attained higher (p

Background: Exposure to Occupational hazards can be very detrimental to the health of workers. Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals with immense burden to deliver on musculoskeletal and other aspects of health of patients and clients. Exposure to Occupational hazards can affect the discharge of their duties and negatively affect the quality of healthcare delivery. Identification, precaution and control of occupational hazards in the workplace are imperatives to the health and well-being of physiotherapists.

Purpose: There is a growing call around the world to include professionalism in the entry-level education of physical therapists and to teach professionalism as a continuing education professional development workshop for practicing physical therapists. Unfortunately, there is currently no empirical evidence to support the use of didactic instruction to effectuate a change in the knowledge and attributes of professionalism. This study evaluated the effects of a customized professionalism educational intervention on physical therapists’ knowledge and attributes of professionalism. Methods: A quasi-experimental research was conducted among 47 Nigerian physical therapists (Mean age = 41 ± 10.1 years). The educational intervention consisted of a 3-hour classroom lecture and five case studies on professionalism. The impact of the intervention was evaluated by a Professionalism Inventory that assesses the level of knowledge and attributes of professionalism - clinical competence, a spirit of inquiry, accountability, autonomy, advocacy, innovation and visionary, collegiality and collaboration, and ethics and value. Results: Post intervention, the physical therapist's aggregate knowledge of professionalism score improved significantly from 69% to 77% performance level (t = 2.340; p < 0.05). On the contrary, there was no significant difference in the aggregate attributes of professionalism score following the intervention (t = 1.396, p > 0.05). Although the improvement observed in the aggregate attributes of professionalism score was not statistically significant, when the effects of the intervention were examined on the attributes of professionalism subscales, the results revealed that clinical competence, accountability, autonomy, innovation and visionary, and collaborating and collegiality improved significantly (p < 0.05). The intervention was of small practical significance (Cohen d = .34 and .20 for knowledge and attributes of professionalism scores, respectively). Conclusions: It was inferred from the findings that a three-hour classroom instruction consisting of lectures and case studies presentation could improve the knowledge of professionalism of practicing physical therapists. A longer instructional period vis-à-vis mentoring and role modelling in the classroom may be needed to effectuate a practical change in professionalism.

Background: It has been reported in the extant literature that the attributes of professionalism vary widely with gender, age, the level of education, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds and between professions. This study evaluated Nigerian physiotherapists’ knowledge and attributes of professionalism and also examined the influence of demographic variables on their professionalism. Methods: One hundred and forty-nine physiotherapists recruited from four randomly selected University Teaching Hospitals completed a Professionalism Inventory that assesses demographic variables, knowledge of professionalism and attributes of professionalism – clinical competence, a spirit of inquiry, accountability, autonomy, advocacy, innovation and visionary, collegiality and collaboration, and ethics/value. Results: The physiotherapists’ average knowledge of professionalism score was 62%, and the average attributes of professionalism score were 63/80 (79%). The physiotherapists who are married, older than 40 years, and with a doctorate, with 16–20 years of work experience, and employed in the neurology practice setting demonstrated significantly (p

Background: This cross-sectional study investigated student enrollment-related outcomes from physiotherapy education programs in West Africa. Methods: The Head of Department of all physiotherapy education programs in Nigeria and Ghana universities (N=14) completed a questionnaire that sought information on admission capacity/goal, student enrollment, baccalaureate (BPT/BS) and postgraduate (MS, Ph.D.) degrees conferred and the student-core faculty ratio (SFR). Results: In Nigeria, 4,748 BPT, 325 MS and 50 Ph.D. degrees in physiotherapy were conferred over a 50 year period; 2,038 BPT, 160 MS, and 42 Ph.D. students are currently enrolled. In Ghana, over a 14 year period, 277 BS degrees were conferred and 162 students are currently enrolled. The mean SFR for the undergraduate program in Nigeria and Ghana was 17.6 and 13.5, respectively. In Nigeria, 83.3% of the physiotherapy programs are located in Federal owned university; while in Ghana 100% of the programs are in State-owned university (χ² = 8.556; p =.014). Admission goal and university ownership are significantly (p

BACKGROUND The restrictive effect of backpack loads on chest expansion has been widely reported but little is known whether pulmonary function in children is affected by the placement of the straps of the backpack. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of strap configuration and backpack loads on pulmonary function among school age children. METHODS Eighteen children (mean age of 12±1.68 years) participated in this study. Pulmonary functionwas assessed using spirometryat baseline and during five test conditions. Two strap configurations were compared: double straps with the backpack worn midline on the back with one strap over each shoulder and single strap with the backpack worn laterally with one strap over the shoulder. RESULTS A marginal increase was shown in all measures of pulmonary function during standing and walking, and as the backpack weight increased. However, all the marginal changes in pulmonary function tests across different weights and strap patterns were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Variable backpack loading and strap options appear to influence changes to the pulmonary function of children. Although the observed changes are marginal, it could not be determined if they have a long term effect. Further investigations of larger sample size are required to inform practice.

Background & Objective: Stroke assessment scales are top among core British National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke that has been strongly advocated by the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party (ISWP). These clinical assessment measures have been studied for validity and reliability and have been in use globally by clinicians for over three decades. Knowledge and use of stroke scales by Physiotherapists in Nigeria will be a strong tool in improving the quality of care and life of stroke survivors. This study therefore sought to evaluate the level of knowledge, availability and utilization of stroke scales among Physiotherapists in Nigeria.Methods: Two hundred (200), two-part, 18-item, self administered questionnaires were distributed to a convenient sample of Nigerian Physiotherapists practicing in urban and suburban hospitals spread over four out of six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. One hundred and eighty (180) respondents (90%) returned fully completed questionnaires.Results: Of the 180 respondents, 66.7% had knowledge of stroke scales though only 28% claimed they were taught in their training institutions. Three types of scales were mainly available among 30.6% of respondents in their institutions of practice. However, 70% of these respondents to whom these scales were available do not utilize them mostly due to high patient load and time constraint in clinical setting. All participants (100%) desired knowledge and availability of the scales while 90% strongly agreed that stroke scales make the patient, essential part of goal setting and accelerates his re- integration into the society after stroke.Conclusion: Knowledge of stroke assessment scales is low among Physiotherapists in Nigeria. Even among those who have knowledge of the scales, there is low availability and utilization in the treatment of stroke. Therefore, improvement in knowledge, availability and utilization of stroke assessment scales by Physiotherapists in Nigeria is imperative.

Low back pain (LBP) is often an indication of pathologicalcondition of the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies or supporting soft tissuesof the lower vertebral region. Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) presents withenormous consequence on the general performance of the sufferer, exerting ahuge cost on the individual, the family and the society. Dance therapy is arelatively new approach in the management of low back pain. This study wastherefore designed to investigate the effect of dance therapy on pain, functionaldisability and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.Thirty subjects diagnosed with non-specific CLBP particpated in the study.They were randomly divided into 2 groups, A and B, each comprising 15 subjects.In addition to conventional physiotherapy programme given to both groups,subjects in Group A also received aerobic dance, which comprised a four stage protocol. The entire treatment routinewas administered in a group session three times weekly consecutively for six weeks. Data as obtained in the copies ofcompleted questionnaires (Roland Morris Diability questionnaires and Nottingham Health Profile questionnaires) andother measurements were summarized using mean, standard deviation and frequency tables. Student T-test was used toanalyze the data at 95 % confidence interval.There was a statistically significant difference (p

Aim: Estimation of cost burden of a disease condition is a very important part of health care policy making worldwide. Till now, such documents are lacking especially on non-communicable diseases in the health policy making process in Nigeria. This article therefore attempts to report the results of a prospective cross-sectional study on the cost burden of a cerebrovascular accident condition (stroke) in Nigeria. It estimates the direct health care cost for a minimum period of 12weeks and maximum of 36weeks for post stroke hemiplegia. Study Design/Setting: It was a collaborative cross-sectional study amongst centers situated in urban and sub-urban environments in Southern Nigeria. It involved a hospital of an Oil and Gas Company in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, two Government tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt and Benin-City, all in South-South Nigeria, the industrial hub of the country. A Private Specialist hospital in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, the corporate hub of the country was also included. Method: Patients diagnosed and admitted for management for cerebrovascular accident (stroke) in the above named health facilities formed the subjects of this study. Medical records (case files) of two hundred and forty (240) stroke patients managed within the last six years (2005- 2011) were randomly selected from the medical record departments of the study centers. Files of the patients who were admitted during acute care period (without discharge against medical advice) and were followed on out-patient basis without default within the study period were purposively utilized. The files were then assessed for the various investigations and treatment interventions of acute and long term care and the costs thereof. Ethical approval to access patients’ case files was sought and granted by the Research Ethics Committee of the different study centers. Results: The results revealed that it requires an average of N95,100: 00 ($600 ) and N767,900: 00 ($4860)in a government and a private hospital, respectively to access care within the first 36weeks of post stroke affectation in Nigeria. Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggests that managing stroke constitutes a huge direct cost burden unaffordable by an average Nigerian stroke sufferer. The implication is that lack of means for rehabilitative care may result in disability adjusted life years which further compounds burdens in terms of indirect cost on the sufferers’ and care givers’ productivity. It is therefore recommended that awareness of this disorder is created by policy makers and implementers where it does not exist and increased where it does with health promotion and preventive measures.

Background and Purpose. Physical therapist (PT) professional (entry-level) education programs are non-existent in most developing countries. The PT professional education programs that do exist in some developing countries may need to upgrade and strengthen their existing curricula. Many of these programs are in significant need of additional PT faculty and advanced education for their existing PT faculty. Efforts to create or enhance PT education programs in developing countries are frequently limited by inadequate human and material resources. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. This paper describes and discusses 4 models of collaboration and international partnerships in which educators and PT education programs in developed countries with more human and material resources partner with universities in developing countries to help establish or enhance PT education programs. Experiences of PT education programs in the US working with programs in Nigeria, Suriname, and Jordan, and a program in Japan working with a program in Mongolia, are presented. Outcomes. The models of collaboration between service and host countries resulted in provision of online education to practicing physical therapists, consultation on curriculum, short-term teaching/consulting for existing and developing programs, and PhD education of foreign PTs with the intention that they return to their country of origin as faculty members in PT programs. Discussion and Conclusion. These case examples of international collaboration serve as models for other PT programs and educators to form similar international partnerships and to develop new models. Key Words: International, Education, Physical therapy. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Developing countries carry over 55% of the global burden of disease, but have less than 15% of global health care work force.1 In contrast, many developed countries carry a lower global burden of disease, but have a relatively higher ratio of the global health care work force. For instance, the United States with 10% of the global burden of disease has 25% of the global health care work force; whereas Africa, which carries 25% the global burden of disease, has less than 4% of the global health care work force.2"4 The shortage of health care work force in developing countries is exacerbated by migration of health care professionals from resourcepoor to resource-rich countries. This concept of migration is known as "brain drain."2,5"10 Often, health care professionals in developing countries immigrate either for pecuniary reasons, a poor practice environment and infrastructure, or political instability.7,11"13 To address this disparity and perennial health care work force shortage, efforts by the World Health Organization (WHO) and governments in developed and developing countries primarily focus on training, retention, and recruitment of health care professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, imaging, and medical laboratory sciences.14,15 For instance, education and training specific to medical and nursing health care professionals in sub-Sahara African countries have received a tremendous boost in funding, human and material resources, and partnerships with many US academic institutions.16"18 These initiatives, driven by HIV/ AIDS funding, have been funded by the US government through the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI)19,20 and the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI)21,22 programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.19,20 Specifically, successful upgrading of nursing education programs through NEPI have been reported for Botswana, Lesotho, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Brazil, India, Thailand, and the Philippines.22 The Consortium of Universities for Global Health,23 comprised of over 50 academic institutions in the United States and Canada, and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, currently partner with developing countries and their institutions. …

Background: The global advocacy for Direct Access (DA) and Patients’ Self-Referral (PSR) to physiotherapy is consistent with the quest for promoting professional autonomy and recognition. It was hypothesized in this study that the attainment of this clarion call in Nigeria may be hamstrung by challenges similar or different from those reported in other climes. Objective: This study assessed the perception of DA and PSR among Physiotherapists (PTs) in South-West, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred PTs from ten purposely selected public-funded out-patient facilities from South-West, Nigeria responded in this cross-sectional study, yielding a response rate of 75% (100/150). A previously validated questionnaire for World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) on the global view of DA and PSR for physical therapy was used in this study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There was a high awareness on legislation regulating practice (91%) and scope (84%) of the profession. Respondents assert that the extant legislation allows for DA (49%) and PSR (97%). However, 40% of the respondents opined that the baccalaureate qualification of PTs was inadequate for competence in DA and PSR; and a post-professional residency programme was mostly recommended (52%). Public support for DA and PSR to physiotherapy was rated more than the advocacy role of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (60% vs. 40%). Physicians’ (71%) and politicians’ (65%) views were rated the major barrier to achieving DA and PSR status in physiotherapy. Similarly, physicians’ (90%) and politicians’ (88%) support was perceived as the major facilitator. Conclusion: Physiotherapy practice in Nigeria has the semblance of autonomy in DA and PSR but is devoid of legislative support. Most Nigerian physiotherapists assume professional autonomy but were not aware of the lack of legal support for DA and PSR. The current entry-level academic curricula were considered to be deficient and inadequate for autonomous practice in Nigeria. Physicians and politicians were the most important barrier or facilitator to achieving legal support for DA and PSR in physiotherapy in Nigeria.