http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2894 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 05:27:44 GMT 2026-10-13T05:27:44Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2901 Title: Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University on the role of Physiotherapy in COVID-19 Management Authors: Chembe, Saviour Abstract: TITLE: Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Lusaka Apex Medical University students on the role of Physiotherapy in COVID-19 management Background: COVID-19 is a great threat to the world population; patients require a very strong immune system to fight against the disease. To improve the functional immune system response, they are required to be exposed to not only medications but also physical exercises. Physical exercises, according to XU et al. (2020) reduces the incidence, duration, and severity of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, a physiotherapist is needed in the prescription of these moderate-intensity exercises depending on the severity of the disease. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University regarding the role of physiotherapy in COVID-19 management. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing a quantitative research method. After ethical approval, data collection was conducted between 6 May 2021 and 31 July 2021 using an online questionnaire through Google forms. The study was conducted on 374 students at Lusaka Apex Medical University using a validated, structured, self-administered, online questionnaire. Results: In this study, 364 students answered the questions thoroughly. A total of 51% (n=185) of the participants were female, the majority of the study participants (97.8%, n=358) agreed that COVID-19 is contagious. Likewise, a positive attitude was also observed in following guidelines from the Ministry of Health as 83% (n=302) of participants agreed to avoid traveling when they are presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. A negative perception of the inclusion of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19 was evident as the majority of study participants 30.5% (n=111) disagreed of physiotherapy been relevant in the management of COVID-19. A positive perception however was evident among physiotherapy students (n=10) that agreed that physiotherapy is relevant in the management of COVID-19 Conclusion: Students at this institution revealed an acceptable level of knowledge and attitude on COVID-19 and following guidelines. However, with a poor level of perception on the inclusion of physiotherapy in COVID-19 management, it is therefore recommended that students have to sensitize on the importance of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19. Description: Research submitted to Lusaka Apex Medical University As partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2901 2021-09-29T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2900 Title: The knowledge and practices of immobilized patients in the prevention of immobilization complications in the orthopaedic wards (C21, G02, G12) at the University Teaching Hospital. Authors: Nakamba, Lenganji Abstract: Introduction: Immobilization is defined by the medical dictionary as the procedure of making a normally moveable part of the body immovable and this physical inactivity may occur, for example, through disease, injury or following major surgery, Immobilization is a most common treatment provided to injured patients admitted to the orthopedic ward. Immobilized patients have the highest risk of complications and death associated with it. Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice of immobilised patients in the prevention of immobilization complications in the Orthopaedic ward at University Teaching Hospital. Method: The study was carried out in the Orthopaedic Wards G02, G12 and C22 at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. The study was carried out using a quantitative method where data was collected using a structured researcher administered questionnaire to look at the knowledge of immobilization complications in trauma patients. Data was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: In this study, 75(83.3%) participants answered the questionnaire. Out of the 75 participants who returned the questionnaire, male participants were more 60.0% ( n=48) than females 36.0% ( n=27). As for the age range, 57.3% (n=43) were between the age of 18 to 40years, the least were aged above 65 years 8.0% (n=6). The majority of the participants 33.3% (n=25) where married while 10.7% (n=8) were divorced. About 34.7% (n=26) of participants reached secondary level of education as opposed to 18.7% (n=14) who only reached primary school level. Those who did not attain any form of education were 22.7% (n=17) while 24% (n=18) had reached tertiary education. When participqnts were asked asked if they knew the complications of being in a non-movement state, the majority 42.7% (n=32) were not sure while 38.7% indicated that they knew and 18.7% (n=14) did not know. Conclution: More effort needs to be put into education of patients on the complications of prolonged immobilization. This might require the development of a consent form that would require to be filled for anyone who is immobilised for a certain duration. Description: submitted to Lusaka Apex Medical University as a partial fulfilment for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy. Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2900 2021-07-22T00:00:00Z