Research Articles (Physiotherapy)

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Browsing by Subject "Africa"

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    Challenges facing physiotherapy education in Africa
    (Nova Southeastern University, 2007) Frantz, Jose M.
    Health care is changing and the demands put on health professionals are increasing. Physiotherapy education should reflect the health and social priorities of the nation. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) is committed to assisting physiotherapy associations in developing educational standards. Physiotherapy education in Africa however, seems to have a real need for assistance from the WCPT. The aim of this paper is to highlight the challenges facing physiotherapy education in Africa. The Delphi methodology was used to obtain information from key informants involved in the area of physiotherapy education from a variety of African countries. The majority of the participants were people who have experienced physiotherapy education in Africa either as graduates or current teachers. Data were analyzed into themes and sent back to respondents for confirmation. The most important challenges highlighted were: lack of undergraduate training opportunities, limited number of therapists, upgrading of physiotherapy educators, research as a major component of physiotherapy education, and recognition of physiotherapy as an essential service. It is concluded that assistance is needed for physiotherapists from Africa to take their rightful place in the health team and higher education institutions should look at improving diploma qualifications of physiotherapists in African countries.
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    Provision of inpatient rehabilitation and challenges experienced with participation post discharge: quantitative and qualitative inquiry of African stroke patients
    (BioMed Central, 2015) Rhoda, Anthea; Cunningham, Natalie; Azaria, Simon; Urimubenshi, Gerard
    BACKGROUND: The provision of rehabilitation differs between developed and developing countries, this could impact on the outcomes of post stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this paper is to present provision of in-patient stroke rehabilitation. In addition the challenges experienced by the individuals with participation post discharge are also presented. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to collect data. The quantitative data was collected using a retrospective survey of stroke patients admitted to hospitals over a three- to five-year period. Quantitative data was captured on a validated data capture sheet and analysed descriptively. The qualitative data was collected using interviews from a purposively and conveniently selected sample, audio-taped and analysed thematically. The qualitative data was presented within the participation model. RESULTS: A total of 168 medical folders were reviewed for a South African sample, 139 for a Rwandan sample and 145 for a Tanzanian sample. The mean age ranged from 62.6 (13.78) years in the South African sample to 56.0 (17.4) in the Rwandan sample. While a total of 98 % of South African stroke patients received physiotherapy, only 39.4 % of Rwandan patients received physiotherapy. From the qualitative interviews, it became clear that the stroke patients had participation restrictions. When conceptualised within the Participation Model participation restrictions experienced by the stroke patients were a lack of accomplishment, inability to engage in previous roles and a perception of having health problems. DISCUSSION: With the exception of Rwanda, stroke patients in the countries studied are admitted to settings early post stroke allowing for implementation of effective acute interventions. The participants were experiencing challenges which included a lack of transport and the physical geographic surroundings in the rural settings not being conducive to wheelchair use. CONCLUSION: Stroke patients admitted to hospitals in certain African countries could receive limited in-patient therapeutic interventions. With the exception of barriers in the physical environment, stroke patients in developing countries where resources are limited experience the same participation restrictions as their counterparts in developed countries where resources are more freely available. Rehabilitation interventions in these developing countries should therefore be community-based focussing on intervening in the physical environment.
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    The root cause for the exclusion of older persons from participation in developmental activities in the society - African perspective
    (University of the Western Cape, 2009) Nankwanga, Annet; Phillips, Julie
    This paper review the literature regarding the barriers to participation of older persons in the African society. Studies have shown that older persons are vulnerable and thus do not participate in most development programmes in society to improve their livelihoods. Research has further shown that there are factors that could be hindering their participation in society. This paper attempts to highlight some of the barriers that hinder participation of older persons in the African communities. The authors conclude that the barriers to effective participation of older persons in society include the state of older people's personal health, poverty and the negative and limiting community attitudes, laws and practices. Pensions, social grants and allowances are among the means through which the elderly cope. However not all older persons have access to pensions as the majority did not work in government. Furthermore, most countries in Africa except for a few such as Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho have not considered giving their senior citizens social grants to improve on their livelihoods.
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    Stroke in Africa: Profile, progress, prospects and priorities
    (Spring Nature Limited, 2021) Akinyemi, R.O.; Ovbiagele, B.; Adeniji, O.A.; Sarfo, F.S.; Ogah O.S.a, k,Naidoo P.l,Damasceno A.m,Walker R.W.a, n, o,Ogunniyi A.a, c,Kalaria R.N.a, d; Adoukonou, T.; Ogah, O.S.; Naidoo, P.; Damasceno, A.; Walker, R.W.; Ogunniyi, A.; Kalaria, R.N.; Abd-Allah, Foad
    Stroke is a leading cause of disability, dementia, and death worldwide. Approximately 70% of deaths from stroke and 87% of stroke-related disabilities occur in low-income and middle-income countries. At the turn of the century, the most common diseases in Africa were communicable diseases, whereas non-communicable diseases, including stroke, were considered rare, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence indicates that today, Africa could have up to 2–3-fold greater rates of stroke incidence and higher stroke prevalence than western Europe and the USA. In Africa, data published within the past decade show that stroke has an annual incidence rate of up to 316 per 100,000, a prevalence of up to 1,460 per 100,000, and a 3-year fatality rate greater than 80%. Moreover, many Africans have a stroke within the fourth to sixth decades of life, with serious implications for the individual, their family, and society. This age profile is particularly important as strokes in younger people tend to result in a greater loss of self-worth and socioeconomic productivity than in older individuals. Emerging insights from research into stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, care, and outcomes offer great prospects for tackling the growing burden of stroke on the continent. In this article, we review the unique profile of stroke in Africa and summarize current knowledge on stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, outcomes, cost of care, and awareness. We also discuss knowledge gaps, emerging priorities, and future directions of stroke medicine for the more than 1 billion people who live in Africa. © 2021, Springer Nature Limited.