Knowledge and current practices of Nigerian physiotherapists on the physical activity and exercise training in the rehabilitation of patients with asthma

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the knowledge and current practices of Nigerian physiotherapists on the physical activity and exercise training in the rehabilitation of patients with asthma and to determine if any difference exists between novice and expert professionals. Methods: This was designed as a cross-sectional study. A total of 311 practicing physiotherapists in Nigeria participated in the study. An electronic questionnaire comprising 34 semi-structured questions with three domains; personal information, knowledge, and current practices, was used to collect data throughout 4-months. Data were analyzed using a pragmatist paradigm. Results: Out of the physiotherapists, 51.8% (n = 161) had postgraduate degrees, 46.9% (n = 146) had bachelor’s degrees, and 1.3% (n = 4) had a doctor of physiotherapy degrees. The result also indicates that 45.3% (n = 141) of the physiotherapists had insufficient knowledge about asthma, and 39.5% (n = 123) were not using current clinical practice in the rehabilitation of patients with asthma. The results also indicate that expert physiotherapist has more knowledge and also uses current practices when compared to novice physiotherapist. Conclusions: Even though expert physiotherapists have better knowledge and current practices when compared to the novice physiotherapists, the overall outcomes indicate that Nigerian physiotherapists had insufficient knowledge about asthma and were not using current clinical practice in the rehabilitation of patients with asthma.