No abstract

Background: Increasing the level of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among individuals at high risk for stroke may empower them for positive health actions. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among individuals at increased risk and the association between these knowledge levels and some of the participants’ demographics. Method: This study was a cross-sectional survey of one hundred and forty-six individuals (mean age= 53.16±17.66 years) at high risk for stroke from some selected communities in Nnewi North and South Local Government Areas, Anambra State. A self-developed questionnaire was used to measure the participants’ knowledge level. Data Analysis: Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics of Chi-square and Spearman rank-order correlation were used for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha-level. Result: Participants' were mostly males 98 (65.07%), married, and gainfully employed (67.1%) and had at least a secondary level education (76.7%). About half of the participants had poor knowledge of stroke risk factors (52.05%) and warning signs (49.32%) despite their high literacy level. Being a male participant with a tertiary level of education and working in the public or private sector was associated with a better knowledge level (p≤0.05). No significant association existed between the age and marital status of the individuals. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was poor for many in the sampled population particularly those with little or no education and those who are either unemployed or self-employed. Efforts should be made to increase the level of awareness among these groups of high-risk individuals through stroke awareness campaigns, which may empower them for positive health actions toward stroke prevention.

Introduction. Physical therapy (physiotherapy) is an essential part of the health care delivery system. High school students with an interest in science may be suited for a career in health care, including physical therapy. It is important therefore that their teachers have good knowledge and great willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to them. Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. e previous reports highlighted the need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. However, no previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions. erefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of an educational intervention in improving the level of knowledge, attitude, and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to students among high (secondary) school science teachers in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Review of Literature. Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. ere is need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. No previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions. Subjects. Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools. Methods. is was a pretest-posttest quasi experimental study. Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools participated in the study. Data were collected preintervention and postintervention using a self-developed instrument. Results. Only 20.2% of the participants had a good knowledge of physical therapy on pretest but the proportion with good knowledge increased to 96% after the intervention. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents also developed a positive attitude towards physical therapy and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to their students after the educational intervention. Discussion and Conclusion. Awareness of physical therapy among science teachers is poor. e effectiveness of the educational intervention program revealed a role for physical therapists who wish to enhance the awareness of counselors. Well-informed teachers and counselors may be equipped with the required knowledge to guide the career choice of their students.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) refers to a group of Gram-positive bacteria that are genetically distinct from other strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Aims / Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus bacterial contaminations on physiotherapy equipment in selected hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. A total of Sixty-eight (68) swab samples were collected from four physiotherapy departments, two private and two tertiary hospitals. The study population is made up of 14 equipment from private hospital A, 20 from tertiary hospital B, 20 from private hospital C and 14 from tertiary hospital D. Results: The Methicillin-Resistant staphylococcus auerus contamination of electrotherapy equipment was found to have a high prevalence rate of 5(38.5%) in hospital C and D while hospital A and B shows no prevalence. Exercise therapy equipment also had a higher infection contamination and prevalence rate of 22 (36.8%) in all the hospitals, diagnostic equipment had a prevalence rate of 2(16.7%) in hospital A and hospital D while hospital B and C had no prevalence. Orthotic equipment had a prevalence rate of 1(100%) in hospital C and none in other hospitals. Walking aids showed a low prevalence rate of 1(16.7% in hospital C and none in hospital. Conclusions: Physiotherapy departments have a high risk of compromising patients’ safety through spreading infections via physiotherapy modalities.