Knowledge, perception and attitude of physiotherapy and medical undergraduates in Nigeria towards people with disability
Keywords:
Knowledge, perception, attitude, undergraduates, people with disabilitiesAbstract
Background: Knowledge, perception and attitude of
healthcare professionals could constitute barriers that
could affect healthcare provision for, and social life
of People with Disability (PWD). Knowledge,
perception and attitude towards PWD was
investigated among physiotherapy and medical
undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
using a mixed-method design.
Methods: Knowledge and perception of first and
final year physiotherapy and medical undergraduates
about PWD were assessed using a validated
questionnaire while attitude was assessed using the
Attitude Towards Disabled Persons scales (Forms A
and O). Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was held
with eight purposively selected students from the
survey sample. Data were analysed using Man
Whitney U test at p-value < 0.05. Transcripts from
the discussion were analysed thematically.
Results: 187 undergraduates (106 males) aged
20.35±2.67years participated in the survey. Majority
of the participants (e”88.0%) were knowledgeable
about physical disabilities but had poor perception
and negative stereotypes about PWD. Only
38(20.3%) of the participants reported that PWD
experienced disparities in accessing healthcare. First
year physiotherapy undergraduates had more positive
attitudes towards PWD than first-year medical
students (68.2% vs 35.0%, p<0.01) whereas final
year medical students had more positive attitude that
final year physiotherapy students (68.2% vs 52.6%,
p=0.29) on form O. Participants in the FGD believed
disability could be socially constructed and not just
on account of physical impairments. They considered
treating PWD as being more stressful than treating
people without disability.
Conclusion: Participants had good knowledge,
ambivalent attitude and poor perception about PWD.
Their perception and attitude could be improved
through adequate exposure and contact with PWD.
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