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Steyl T1, Kapapa MM2
1University of the Western Cape, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Bellville, South Africa, 2Ndola Central Hospital, Physiotherapy Department, Ndola, Zambia
Background: The increasing spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in the low- and middle-income countries calls for a more holistic and cost-effective measure to reduce its impact on society. One of the methods advocated for achieving this is health promotion. The Zambian government, through the strategic plan has called for a shift from curative to preventive management of diseases, including NCDs. Therefore, health professionals are called upon to redirect their health care management approaches towards preventative care, incorporating health promotion.
Purpose: The study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice as well as the perceptions of physiotherapists and general practitioners regarding their role in health promotion for NCDs in the hospitals of the Southern Province, Zambia.
Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed method approach using a descriptive cross-sectional and exploratory study design for the quantitative and qualitative phases respectively was employed. A valid, reliable questionnaire was employed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of the sample of 62 general practitioners and 53 physiotherapists from rural and urban hospitals in the Southern Province of Zambia. A focus group interview guide was used in the focus group discussions on a purposively selected sample of participants. Descriptive statistics was applied to summarise socio-demographic information. Inferential statistics were employed to determine any association between variables. A logistic regression model was used to investigate functional relationships associated with physiotherapists and general practitioners' knowledge, attitude and practice scores. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. Qualitative data was transcribed verbatim after which coding, categorisation and arrangements of themes followed. Trustworthiness was addressed through credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability.
Results: General practitioners (98%) possessed better knowledge with regard to health promotion for NCDs than physiotherapists (90.6%). Physiotherapists (86.8%) possessed a more positive attitude towards health promotion for NCDs than general practitioners (80%). Physiotherapists practise health promotion more than general practitioners, namely 96.2% and 67.7% respectively. The logistic regression model showed that physiotherapists are four times more likely to incorporate health promotion in their daily work compared to the general practitioners. In addition, both health practitioner domains were of the view that health promotion is the way forward towards the fight against NCDs. However, a number of challenges were echoed that prevent the implementation of a holistic health promotion approach in their practice, namely poor referral systems, low staff numbers, cultural beliefs and limited funding to conduct health promotion programmes.
Conclusion(s): Although the health practitioners had very good knowledge and positive attitudes towards health promotion for NCDs, several challenges were identified that hamper the practice of it in their daily work. If the challenges are addressed, it could assist with the curb in the rise of NCDs in Zambia.
Implications: The Zambian Ministry of Health should revise the policy that excludes physiotherapists at primary health care level. Employment of physiotherapists at primary health care level could enhance the coordination and implementation of health promotion programmes in the community and assist with the early identification of people at risk as well as monitoring the treatment of patients already affected by NCDs.
Keywords: Health promotion, health practitioners, perceptions
Funding acknowledgements: None applicable
Purpose: The study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice as well as the perceptions of physiotherapists and general practitioners regarding their role in health promotion for NCDs in the hospitals of the Southern Province, Zambia.
Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed method approach using a descriptive cross-sectional and exploratory study design for the quantitative and qualitative phases respectively was employed. A valid, reliable questionnaire was employed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of the sample of 62 general practitioners and 53 physiotherapists from rural and urban hospitals in the Southern Province of Zambia. A focus group interview guide was used in the focus group discussions on a purposively selected sample of participants. Descriptive statistics was applied to summarise socio-demographic information. Inferential statistics were employed to determine any association between variables. A logistic regression model was used to investigate functional relationships associated with physiotherapists and general practitioners' knowledge, attitude and practice scores. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. Qualitative data was transcribed verbatim after which coding, categorisation and arrangements of themes followed. Trustworthiness was addressed through credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability.
Results: General practitioners (98%) possessed better knowledge with regard to health promotion for NCDs than physiotherapists (90.6%). Physiotherapists (86.8%) possessed a more positive attitude towards health promotion for NCDs than general practitioners (80%). Physiotherapists practise health promotion more than general practitioners, namely 96.2% and 67.7% respectively. The logistic regression model showed that physiotherapists are four times more likely to incorporate health promotion in their daily work compared to the general practitioners. In addition, both health practitioner domains were of the view that health promotion is the way forward towards the fight against NCDs. However, a number of challenges were echoed that prevent the implementation of a holistic health promotion approach in their practice, namely poor referral systems, low staff numbers, cultural beliefs and limited funding to conduct health promotion programmes.
Conclusion(s): Although the health practitioners had very good knowledge and positive attitudes towards health promotion for NCDs, several challenges were identified that hamper the practice of it in their daily work. If the challenges are addressed, it could assist with the curb in the rise of NCDs in Zambia.
Implications: The Zambian Ministry of Health should revise the policy that excludes physiotherapists at primary health care level. Employment of physiotherapists at primary health care level could enhance the coordination and implementation of health promotion programmes in the community and assist with the early identification of people at risk as well as monitoring the treatment of patients already affected by NCDs.
Keywords: Health promotion, health practitioners, perceptions
Funding acknowledgements: None applicable
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & risk factors
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of the Western Cape
Ethics committee: Biomedical Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: BM/17/6/13
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
