Profiling of physiotherapy patients and barriers to obtaining optimal physiotherapy services at Nkhensani Hospital, Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The demand of providing physiotherapy services have increased due to the population growth, an increase in number of aging people, accidents and rising cases of chronic diseases. A sudden increase in number of patients seen by physiotherapists is worthwhile for exploration since overcrowding is a concern in many public hospital facilities in South Africa. The purpose for this study was to profile physiotherapy patients and barriers to obtaining optimal physiotherapy services at Nkensani Hospital. Methodology: A quantitative, cross- sectional study was conducted for profiling of physiotherapy patients and barriers to obtaining optimal physiotherapy services at Nkensani Hospital. A simple random sampling was used to sample 398 patients who were receiving physiotherapy services at Nkhensani Hospital. Data was collected using a designed questionnaire that was administered by the researcher to patients who were receiving physiotherapy services at Nkhensani hospital between November 2020 to February 2021. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: Approximately 46.3% of the participants were males and 53.7% were females. Majority of the participants had Primary education at 55.5%, followed by those who did not attend school at all, tertiary and secondary education level at 23.1%, 11.3% and 10.1% respectively. Most of the participants were unemployed at 81.2%. The patients who required Physiotherapy services were diagnosed with conditions related to Orthopaedic or Musculoskeletal at 52%, followed by Neurological, geriatric, paediatric and cardio/respiratory conditions at 27%, 13%, 7%and 1% respectively.The barriers to obtaining optimal physiotherapy services by patients were lack of family support, lack of support from friends, the use of traditional medicines, the costs of hiring a caregiver, affordability of services and affordability of transport to hospital. Conclusion: The study reveals that orthopaedic or musculoskeletal conditions are the most prevalent conditions. It is recommended that adequate community health education and intervention services be provided and made affordable and accessible to rural communities.

Key concepts: Barrier, Physiotherapy services, Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy patients, Optimal.