Awareness, attitude, belief, and utilization of physiotherapy services among the general public in major cities of Gujarat state

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physiotherapy is considered an integral part in the health-care delivery system, with the provision of services to improve the quality of life of an individual. Utilization of physiotherapy services by the general public can be influenced by knowledge of the role of physiotherapy in health-care delivery. This study investigated the awareness of, attitude toward, belief about, and utilization of physiotherapy services in the general public of four major cities of Gujarat state in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 500 conveniently selected participants from the general public in selected areas of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat in Gujarat was conducted using a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, percentages, and standard deviation. RESULTS: Participants (n = 245 males, n = 255 females) were aged 36.66 ± 12.2 years. A large proportion, 427 (85.4%), of the participants was aware of physiotherapy through various medium. Out of all the participants, 436 (87.2%) participants were familiar with physiotherapy services. Most of the participants, i.e., 288 (67.4%), reported that physiotherapists treat disorders affecting just bones and joints. About half (216 [49.5%]) and over one-third (157 [36%]) participants reported physiotherapy to be always and sometimes effective, respectively. Around 334 (76.6%) participants stated that they would prefer physiotherapy to Indigenous Health Services, while majority of respondents (398 [89.4%]) claimed that they would recommend physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of the participants are aware of physiotherapy services. Positive attitude toward and belief about physiotherapy services were reported. Furthermore, physiotherapy services utilization of participants was fairly high.