Knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures among physiotherapists in tertiary health institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria

• Published in: Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy (Online) 2023-12, Vol.28 (1), p.21-10, Article 21
• Main Authors: Okonkwo, Uchenna Prosper, Eze, Chidinma Chisom, Ibeneme, Sam Chidi, Igwe, Sylvester Emeka, Chukwuemeka, Uchechukwu Martha, Ihegihu, Ebere Yvonne, Ugwuanyi, Daniel Chimuanya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcoholism; Chi-square test; Clinical medicine; College campuses; Health sciences; Hypertension; Knowledge; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Research Article; Orthopedics; Outcome measures; Patients; Physiotherapists; Questionnaires; Rehabilitation; Research design; Sample size; Sampling techniques; Sociodemographics; Stroke; Teaching hospitals; Tertiary institution; Utilization; Validity
• ISSN: 2536-9660; 1110-6611; 2536-9660
• DOI: 10.1186/s43161-023-00133-y

Background Knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures (SOMs) are important as it helps in the evaluation of patient response to therapy and decision of further step in patient care. This study evaluated the current knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures and the factors that influence them. Methods A cross-sectional survey research design was used for the study. The consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit 40 (16 females and 24 males) respondents from two tertiary hospitals located in Anambra State. Data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation, chi-square test, and Spearman rank-order correlation were used in the analysis of different variables. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results A total of 37.5% had poor knowledge, 30% had fair knowledge, and 32.5% had good knowledge of SOMs. The highest familiarity (i.e., very familiar) was observed as follows: 6-min walk test (72.5%), Modified Ashworth Scale (70%), Barthel Index (65.75%), Mini-mental Stroke Examination (52.5%), Functional Independence Measure (65%), Berg Balance Scale (50%), and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (50%). Poor utilization was observed in % of the respondents, fair utilization was observed in 25%, and good was observed in 20% of them. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and utilization of standardized stroke outcome measures ( p