Nigerian Journal of Medical Rehabilitation

A descriptive study on work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) among physiotherapy practitioners in Kigali city: prevalence, risk factors and preventive strategies

Jean Baptiste Sagahutu, A. Nuhu — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 00:51:33 +0000

Background: Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant occupational problem among physiotherapy practitioners worldwide; however, data on this problem are sparse in Rwanda.

Objective: To identify the prevalence, risk factors and preventive strategies for WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali-Rwanda.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design was used. A self-administered questionnaire was used among 49 physiotherapists. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics. Ethical clearance was obtained from the IRB of University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Results: The prevalence of WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali was 77.8%. The lower back was the most affected body part (77.1%). Forty percent experienced WMSDs in their first one to five years of experience. Working in the same positions for long periods (40.0%) and treating excessive number of patients per day (31.1%) were the most perceived risk factors. The commonest identified preventive strategies were to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time 77.8% and adjust plinth or bed height 77.8. Only 31.1% stopped patients’ treatment if it caused or aggravated their WMSDs.

Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali was high. Risk factors have been identified and vaious preventive strategies have been suggested by physiotherapists themselves and should be applied.

Relationship between caregiver related factors and their proxy report of quality of life of children with cerebral palsy in Kano City, Nigeria

Umaru Muhammad Badaru, O O Ogwumike, A Fatai Adeniyi, A I Naziru — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 02:30:21 +0000

Background: Caregivers have intimate knowledge of their children and can provide reliable information on their quality of life (QoL).

Objective: This study assessed the factors that could influence caregiver report of QoL of children with Cerebral Palsy.

Methods: The cross-sectional survey recruited 30 caregivers and children diagnosed with CP using purposive sampling technique. QoL was assessed with CP-QoL questionnaire, depression with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and functional level with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Socio-demographic data and perceived stress were assessed with a pro-forma. The data were summarised with descriptive statistics and analysed with Spearman Rank Order correlation at alpha level of 0.05.

Results: The mean age of caregivers and that of children with CP were 34.40 ± 7.02 years and 7.23 ± 2.08 years respectively. The mean QoL score was 60.06±4.27. The ‘social well-being and acceptance’ (75.07 ± 9.52) and ‘Access to services’ (66.65±7.87) domains have the highest mean scores. Marital status has significant relationship with proxy report of children’s overall QoL (Rho=0.40; P<0.05) and caregiver depression (Rho=-0.414; P<0.05).

Conclusion: Children with CP in Kano City have moderate QoL. Proxy report of overall QoL was significantly related to marital status with married caregivers’ more likely to report better QoL. Child’s functional status, caregivers’ age and their level of income have also influenced the proxy report of some QoL domains. Researchers should always endeavor to compare parents’ and children’s reports in order to obtain a more accurate measure of children’s QoL.

Effectiveness of static and intermittent cervical tractions in the management of patients with chronic non-specific neck pain: A pilot randomised trial

Nazir Bashir Mukhtar, Zaharau Ado Sabari, Bashir Kaka — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 02:45:18 +0000

Background: Physiotherapists commonly employ cervical traction for patients with neck pain. There is a dearth of literature on the effects of static and intermittent cervical traction on pain, range of motion and disability among patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of static and intermittent cervical traction on pain, disability and range of motion among patients with chronic, non-specific neck pain.

Methods: Twenty-four participants were randomised into two groups – Static and Intermittent cervical traction respectively. They were recruited from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dala-Kano, Kano. Both groups received exercises and infrared treatment, in addition to Static and Intermittent cervical traction. Outcomes were assessed at the baseline and at the end of six weeks of intervention. Pain was assessed through the use of a Visual Analogue Scale, neck disability through a Neck Disability Index questionnaire and cervical range of motion with a goniometer. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and alpha was set at <0.05.

Results: The mean ages of the participants were 46.00±7.81 and 36.00±15.02 for the groups Static and Intermittent respectively. Both groups were comparable at baseline (p>0.05). Both Static and Intermittent cervical traction was effective in reducing the disability (p<0.05) and pain (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups at six weeks in terms of pain, disability and range of motion (P>0.05).

Conclusion and recommendation: Both Static and Intermittent cervical traction effectively manages chronic, non-specific neck pain and neither is superior to the other.

Review of Cerebral Palsy Cases in the University Of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu

Chikamso Samuel Atuh, N Otti-Agha, B Eneje, V Ezema, A Okonkwo, E Ogbaronya — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 01:49:33 +0000

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a major cause of childhood disability. The objective of this study was to review the causes, types, complications, demographic and clinical characteristics of children with CP over a period of ten years as seen in the physiotherapy (PT) department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective study that reviewed a total of 497 case folders of children with CP. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The case records were randomly selected, a data retrieval form developed through a two-stage process was used to obtain the required information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: Four hundred and ninety-seven cases of children with CP were reviewed. Birth asphyxia (29.9%) and jaundice (28.7%) were the leading causes of CP while spastic CP (56.7%) was the most common type. Motor disorder (67.0%) was the predominant clinical presentation. There was a significant association between type of CP and each of cause (X² =28.303, p = 0.001), and duration of PT treatment (X² =31.784, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: It was concluded that Birth asphyxia and jaundice are the major cause of CP in this environment. There is a significant association between type of CP and the cause of CP as well as the duration of PT treatment received.
Keywords: Review; Cerebral Palsy; Hospital