ABSTRACT
Background: Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) affects the rehabilitation process leading to poor functional outcomes after stroke. South African physiotherapists' level of uptake of available evidence in USN rehabilitation and the barriers they encounter are not known. Objectives: To evaluate knowledge, current practice enablers and barriers to USN management in stroke survivors amongst physiotherapists in South Africa. Methods: Our cross-sectional survey used a total sampling technique. Questionnaires were sent to neurorehabilitation physiotherapists in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysed the data. Results: The overall knowledge score of USN was 14.11 ± 5.23 of a total of 25. The knowledge was good for definitions of USN; moderate for incidences, causes, screening, diagnosis and prognosis of USN and poor for pharmacological approaches to the management of USN. A significant low positive correlation between respondents' age (r = 0.46; p = 0.016) and years of practice as a physiotherapist (r = 0.43; p = 0.026) and knowledge of USN was found. The most frequently utilised intervention was constraint-induced movement therapy; the commonly utilised assessment tool was the comb and razor test. 'Inadequate therapy time' (55.56%) and 'lack of relevant equipment for rehabilitation of USN' (38.89%) were identified as major barriers to USN rehabilitation. Major enablers to USN rehabilitation were the 'presence of multidisciplinary stroke team in clinical practice' (83.35%) and 'availability of adequate staff' (76.47%). Conclusion: Physiotherapists demonstrated a fair knowledge of USN although knowledge about pharmacological management of USN was modest. Current practice in post-stroke USN by South African neuro-physiotherapists follows current evidence and practice guidelines. Clinical implication: Our study shows the level of knowledge and current practice of post-stroke USN rehabilitation. The demonstrated fair knowledge of USN may be improved through training, curriculum modifications or continuing professional development. Identified barriers to the rehabilitation of post-stroke USN can assist health policy, managers and clinicians to improve stroke-specific care.
ABSTRACT
Background. Studies on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among drivers in northern Nigeria are modest. Objectives. This survey determined the prevalence of risk factors, onset of WMSDs and experience of ergonomic training, coping strategies and treatment options adopted by drivers. Methods. This cross-sectional survey utilized an adapted version of the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire for examining WMSDs among drivers. Descriptive and χ2 statistics were employed to summarize and analyze data, respectively; the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results. The prevalence of WMSDs among the respondents was 21.2%. The annual prevalence of the various WMSD domains was lower back pain (34%), neck pain (18.9%), upper back pain (22.3%), shoulder pain (18.2%), knee pain (14.9%), ankle pain (17%), wrist pain (7.5%), elbow pain (7.5%) and hip/thigh pain (15.1%). χ2 analysis showed that age (p = 0.006), marital status (p = 0.027) and educational level (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with prevalence of WMSDs. The majority of the drivers (92.5%) had no ergonomic training while 77.4% did not seek treatment. Conclusions. Adequate sensitization on health-seeking behavior and coping strategies through seminars and workshops should be conducted to improve health-seeking behavior and coping strategies of occupational drivers.
