Knowledge, practices and perceived barriers of physiotherapists involved in disaster management: a cross-sectional survey of Nigeria-based and trained physiotherapists

BACKGROUND: Disasters represent substantial health risks to the human population. Proper interventions at all stages of disaster management (DM) are essential for human-related outcomes. The role of physiotherapy in DM should not be underestimated, but unfortunately information on the involvement of physiotherapists in DM is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: One hundred and fifty Nigeria-based and trained physiotherapists were recruited to complete a questionnaire investigating the knowledge, practices and perceived barriers of the role of physiotherapists in DM. RESULTS: Physiotherapists had moderate knowledge of their role at every stage of DM. However, their involvement in specific DM-related activities during various stages of DM in the country was low. Major barriers to the involvement of physiotherapists in DM included a lack of established government policies on the integration of physiotherapists in DM (90.0%) and a lack of specialty clinical practice areas in DM (89.3%). For improved involvement of physiotherapists in DM in Nigeria, respondents recommended creating an awareness of the role of physiotherapists in DM (91.3%), providing continuous education programmes on DM (90.6%) and inclusion of DM in physiotherapy training programmes in Nigeria (90.0%). CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists perceived that they are not adequately involved in DM in Nigeria, despite their moderate knowledge of their role during DM.