Graduate Student Research and Publications

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    Geriatric and gerontological physiotherapy in focus: a cross-sectional survey of education, clinical practice, and service availability across world physiotherapy member nations
    (SpringerNature, 2025) Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Alumona, Chiedozie J.; Okoh, Augustine C.; Ibekaku, Michael; Shirazi, Soroush; Kalu, Micchael E.
    Background The ageing global population necessitates specialised geriatric/gerontological physiotherapy services (GPTS) to address age-related conditions. We explored the current state of geriatric/gerontological physiotherapy (GPT) academic programmes and clinical practice among World Physiotherapy member nations (WPMNs) and identified factors, including socioeconomic indicators, that predicted the GPTS globally. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional survey between April 1 and September 19, 2024, inviting official representatives of the 128 WPMNs to answer questions relating to GPT academic programmes and clinical services and practices. We also extracted the Human Development Index (HDI), life expectancy, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita for each WPMN from the United Nations Development and World Bank databases. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, a map, bubble charts, and logistic regression models. Results Sixty-seven countries (67/128, 52.3% response rate) completed the survey. Among them, 34 (50.7%) and 19 (28.4%) reported having geriatric/gerontology modules in their entry-level and graduate-level physiotherapy programmes, respectively. Additionally, 20 (29.9%) and 13 (19.4%) reported having entry-level geriatric/gerontology clinical placement and graduate-level clinical training, respectively. Physiotherapists were members of interdisciplinary geriatric/gerontological teams in Africa (9/11, 81.8%), Asia Western Pacific (10/16, 62.5%), Europe (15/27, 55.6%), North America Caribbean (4/7, 57.1%), and South America (5/6, 83.3%), but they can only lead the teams in few countries: Africa (1/11, 9.1%), Asia Western Pacific (4/16, 25.0%), Europe (5/27, 18.5%), North America Caribbean (2/7, 28.6%), and South America (2/6, 33.3%). GPTS were more common in countries with graduate-level geriatric physiotherapy academic programmes (OR = 33.47, 95% CI: 1.36, 822.39, p = 0.032) GPT Availability in Practice Act (OR = 41.93, 95% CI: 1.66, 1059.78, p = 0.023), and higher HDI (OR = 5.32e + 07, 95% CI: 49.78, 5.67e + 12, p = 0.003). Europe and North America Caribbean regions had lower older-adult-to-physiotherapist ratios and a higher life expectancy, HDI, and GPTS availability than other World Physiotherapy regions. Conclusion Geriatric/gerontological PT education and clinical practice are evolving, especially at the entry-level training across WPMNs; however, extra effort is required to enhance graduate specialization to cater to the emerging ageing population.
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    Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental workers in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria
    (Lippincott, 2025) Anyachukwu, Canice C.; Ezugwu, Faith N.; Ede, Stephen S.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Ezema, Charles I.; Ede, Chisom F.
    Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are the main occupational health hazard among several clinicians, but its prevalence among dental workers in Nigeria has not been well-studied. Objective: This study evaluated the pattern and prevalence of WRMSDs among dental workers in the Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Six hospitals with dental clinics participated in this cross-sectional survey in the Enugu metropolis. One-hundred and fifty (150) standardized musculoskeletal symptom (Nordic) questionnaires were adopted and distributed, of which 141 were returned. The questionnaire elicited data on demographic characteristics and carrier profiles, ergonomics, and the body parts involved in the occupational activities. Results: The results indicated that 83% of the respondents sustained musculoskeletal injury more than once. Bending (66%) and performing repetitive tasks (58.2%) were the most performed risk activities. The lower back (66%) was the most affected body part, followed by the upper back (58.9%), neck (51%), shoulder (47.5%), and hip (46.1%). The most common preventive measures taken by individuals were resting (57%) and avoiding lifting (53.2%). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of WRMSD among dental workers, with potential to having negative effect on their work habits, and reduced productivity.
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    COVID-19 hand hygiene practices and its barriers among health care workers in a low-resource setting: a cross-sectional study in Nigeria
    (Springer, 2024) Ekediegwu, Ezinne C.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Nwanne, Chiamaka; Nwosu, Ifeoma B.; Alumona, Chiedozie J.; Onyeso, Kelechi M.; Ekechukwu, Echezona N.; Ihegihu, Ebere Y.; Amaechi, Ifeoma A.; Aruma, Okwukweka E.; Odole, Adesola C.
    Background: Poor hand hygiene (HH) among health care workers (HCWs) in low-resource healthcare settings has continued to increase the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, adherence, and barriers to HH practices among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Methods: The study was an online cross-sectional survey using a tailored questionnaire distributed through chain referral sampling among southern Nigerian HCWs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (February to August 2020). The primary outcomes were knowledge, attitude, adherence to HH guidelines, and the barriers limiting compliance with the guidelines. Data were analysed using percentage, frequency, mean, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. The study timeline was from 15 April to 31 July 2020. Results: Four hundred and fifty-four HCWs (236 males and 218 females) participated in the study. The participants had a moderate knowledge of standard HH protocol (mean ± SD) 62.45 ± 10.82%, positive attitude 84.34 ± 11.32%, and high adherence to the standard guidelines 81.21 ± 9.49%. There was no significant difference in knowledge, attitude, and adherence across the healthcare professions. Increasing age (β = 0.186, p < 0.003) and knowledge (β = 0.229, p < 0.001), and decreasing negligence (β = − 0.178, p = 0.004), and forgetfulness (β = − 0.159, p = 0.012) were the significant predictors of effective HH practices. Conclusion: Nigerian HCWs had moderate knowledge, a positive attitude, and adhered to the standard HH practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the major barriers were institutional-based factors such as the inadequate supply of HH items, competing job demands, emergencies, increased workload, and personal characteristics such as age, poor knowledge, negligence, and forgetfulness. We recommend that hospital management provide their staff with adequate HH materials and continued infectious disease training.
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    Influence of sport type and gender on bone turnover markers in young athletes
    (2023) Apiloki, Joy O.; Aje, Oluwakayode S.; Awotidebe, Taofeek O.; Okhawere, Martin I.; Mbada, Chidozie E.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Idomeh, Festus A.; Adagbusi, Charles O.; Oke, Kayode I.
    Background Exercise is beneficial to bone health. However, little is known about the interaction effect of gender and sport type on bone turnover in young athletes. This study aimed to examine the influence of gender and sports categories (high, medium, and low impact) on bone turnover: reabsorption markers–osteocalcin, calcium, inorganic phosphate (IP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and resorption marker–cross-linked N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen (NTx) among a university’s undergraduate athletes. Methods The study was an ex-post facto design involving forty-seven purposively recruited gender- and sporttype- matched undergraduate athletes whose demographic characteristics and BMI were obtained. Participants’ 5 mL antecubital blood samples were collected and analysed for serum levels of osteocalcin, calcium, IP, ALP, and NTx using standard laboratory protocols, Bio-Tek spectrometer, and KC4 (3.3) software. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Results The study involved 24 females and 23 males (n = 47) aged 22.15 ± 3.35 years with an average BMI of 23.34 ± 4.66. There was no significant gender effect on the biomarkers. However, there was a significant effect of the sports category on IP (F = 4.307, p = 0.020), calcium (F = 6.807, p = 0.003), and ALP serum levels (F = 11.511, p < 0.001). Specifically, mid-impact sports participants had a higher IP than the low-impact group (mean difference [MD] = 0.81 mg/dL, p = 0.036). Low-impact had a higher calcium level than mid-impact (MD = 0.40 mg/dL, p = 0.022) and high-impact (MD = 0.49 mg/dL, p = 0.003). Conversely, low-impact had lower ALP than mid-impact (MD = − 11.13 U/L, p = 0.013) and high-impact (MD = − 17.44 IU/L, p < 0.001). Conclusion Moderate to high-impact sports positively affected bone turnover in young athletes. However, gender had no significant impact.
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    Musculoskeletal imaging authority, levels of training, attitude, competence, and utilisation among clinical physiotherpists in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey
    (Springer Nature, 2022) Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Umunnah, Joseph O.; Eze, Joseph C.; Onigbinde, Ayodele T.; Anyachukwu, Canice C.; Ezema, Charles I.; Onwuakagba, Ifeoma U.; Abaraogu, Ukachukwu O.; Awhen, Agba P.; Anikwe, Ernest E.; Akinola, Odunayo T.; Kalu, Michael E.
    Background: Direct-access physiotherapy practice has led to a global review of the use of differential-diagnostic modalities such as musculoskeletal imaging (MI) in physiotherapy. Objective: To explore the MI authority, levels of training, attitude, utilisation, and competence among clinical physi- otherapists in Nigeria. Methods: This national cross-sectional study analysed a voluntary response sample of 400 Nigerian physiotherapists that completed the online version of the Physiotherapist’s Musculoskeletal Imaging Profiling Questionnaire (PMIPQ), using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman’s ANOVA tests. Results: Of the 400 participants, 93.2% believed that physiotherapists should use MI in clinical practice. However, only 79.8% reported having MI authority in their practice settings. The participants’ median (interquartile range) levels of training =10 (24) and competence =16 (24) were moderate. Nonetheless, levels of training (χ2 [15] = 1285.899, p = 0.001), and competence (χ2 [15] = 1310.769, p < 0.001) differed across MI procedures. The level of training and competence in x-ray referral and utilisation was significantly higher than magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in that order (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of training and competence (rho =0.61, p < 0.001). The par- ticipants had a positive attitude =32 (32) and occasionally used MI in clinical practice =21 (28). Conclusion: Majority of the respondents believed they had MI authority although there was no explicit affirmation of MI authority in the Nigerian Physiotherapy Practice Act. Participants had a positive attitude towards MI. How- ever, levels of MI training, competence, and utilisation were moderate. Our findings have legislative and curriculum implications