Boos K1,2
1Marquette University, Physical Therapy, Milwaukee, United States, 2Carroll University, Physical Therapy, Waukesha, United States
Background: The comprehensiveness of a health system can define the stage of development of a country. Access to healthcare and high standards of health enable people to contribute to the betterment of society and its development. Tanzania is a developing country working to advance its healthcare system. Physiotherapists are healthcare workers who offer a broad scope of clinical practice in medicine and rehabilitation. Increasing physiotherapy utilization could improve population health and thus assist progress toward developmental goals. However, if the population is not aware of physiotherapy nor its application nor how to access services, its benefit will be limited.
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to establish baseline data about the knowledge of physiotherapy among the general public within a segment of Tanzania in order to promote further research and community based education about physiotherapy and its role in healthcare. This is in an effort to address healthcare access, health promotion, and progress toward the developmental goals of the country. This study also supports the policy development of further educational programs in physiotherapy.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sampling of 400 members of the general public, who gave consent and who met inclusion criteria, within Nyamagana District of Mwanza, Tanzania between January 15- March 1, 2018. If the participant answered “no” to the question pertaining to knowledge of physiotherapy, the survey was stopped and the participant was provided with a verbal and/or written description of the profession, as well as, counseling on where/how to access physiotherapy services. If the participant did have knowledge of the profession, they completed the survey detailing the level of awareness.
Results: 30.5% of those surveyed had awareness of physiotherapy; 69.5% did not have awareness. 50% reported daily pain; 19% of those had awareness of physiotherapy. 14% reported mobility impairments, 8% of those had awareness of physiotherapy. 47% were aware because family had received services, 35% received physiotherapy themselves. 2.5% were informed of physiotherapy by other health professionals. Most with awareness thought physiotherapists primarily treat bone disorders, in hospitals, with exercise as the primary treatment.
Conclusion(s): Physiotherapy can make meaningful contributions toward population health. This study found that within the population surveyed there is limited awareness and understanding of physiotherapy. This can affect health access, utilization and subsequent improvement of health standards. Increasing the number of practicing physiotherapists and increasing the public's awareness of physiotherapy as an accessible healthcare profession is important to bring maximum benefit to Tanzania´s health status. In this way physiotherapy can also assist with advancement toward development goals and improvement in global health categories.
Implications: This study serves as an example of the potential for limited awareness of physiotherapy. Awareness of physiotherapy and its role within healthcare is necessary for full utilization and maximum benefit. Physiotherapists must be advocates for the profession both locally and globally to facilitate utilization and health promotion to reduce the burden of global health indicators. This study suggests further research into the awareness of physiotherapy within all nations, among other healthcare professionals and in under-served populations.
Keywords: Awareness of PT, PT for Health promotion, PT for developmental progress
Funding acknowledgements: This research was completed as part of the author´s US Fulbright Scholar grant to Tanzania.
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to establish baseline data about the knowledge of physiotherapy among the general public within a segment of Tanzania in order to promote further research and community based education about physiotherapy and its role in healthcare. This is in an effort to address healthcare access, health promotion, and progress toward the developmental goals of the country. This study also supports the policy development of further educational programs in physiotherapy.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sampling of 400 members of the general public, who gave consent and who met inclusion criteria, within Nyamagana District of Mwanza, Tanzania between January 15- March 1, 2018. If the participant answered “no” to the question pertaining to knowledge of physiotherapy, the survey was stopped and the participant was provided with a verbal and/or written description of the profession, as well as, counseling on where/how to access physiotherapy services. If the participant did have knowledge of the profession, they completed the survey detailing the level of awareness.
Results: 30.5% of those surveyed had awareness of physiotherapy; 69.5% did not have awareness. 50% reported daily pain; 19% of those had awareness of physiotherapy. 14% reported mobility impairments, 8% of those had awareness of physiotherapy. 47% were aware because family had received services, 35% received physiotherapy themselves. 2.5% were informed of physiotherapy by other health professionals. Most with awareness thought physiotherapists primarily treat bone disorders, in hospitals, with exercise as the primary treatment.
Conclusion(s): Physiotherapy can make meaningful contributions toward population health. This study found that within the population surveyed there is limited awareness and understanding of physiotherapy. This can affect health access, utilization and subsequent improvement of health standards. Increasing the number of practicing physiotherapists and increasing the public's awareness of physiotherapy as an accessible healthcare profession is important to bring maximum benefit to Tanzania´s health status. In this way physiotherapy can also assist with advancement toward development goals and improvement in global health categories.
Implications: This study serves as an example of the potential for limited awareness of physiotherapy. Awareness of physiotherapy and its role within healthcare is necessary for full utilization and maximum benefit. Physiotherapists must be advocates for the profession both locally and globally to facilitate utilization and health promotion to reduce the burden of global health indicators. This study suggests further research into the awareness of physiotherapy within all nations, among other healthcare professionals and in under-served populations.
Keywords: Awareness of PT, PT for Health promotion, PT for developmental progress
Funding acknowledgements: This research was completed as part of the author´s US Fulbright Scholar grant to Tanzania.
Topic: Globalisation: health systems, policies & strategies; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Professional issues: business skills, leadership & advocacy
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)
Ethics committee: Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)
Reason not required: This qualitative study was approved by COSTECH. No separate ethics committee approval was required due to the public, anonymous, volunteer, survey method for data collection. There was no personally identifiable information collected. No medical treatments or assessments were performed. The study was performed to support population health education, health management, policy and available resources.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
