Research Article

Obstacles to Obtaining Optimal Physiotherapy Services in a Rural Community in Southeastern Nigeria

Table 3

Management of movement/functional problems at household level.

Number of respondentsPercentage (%)

First health care provider
 Tertiary hospital126.1
 General hospital126.1
 Private hospital/clinic168.2
 Health center105.1
 Chemist5528.1
 Traditional health facility189.2
 Prayer house10.5
 Home remedy3316.8
 No action3919.9

Total196100.0

Initial treatment received
 Drugs, traction, and/or pop11573.3
 Herbs and/or traditional bone setting2214.0
 Hot water and balm117.0
 Referral to secondary or tertiary health facility31.9
 Massage21.3
 Surgery21.3
 Prayers10.6
 Physiotherapy and others10.6
 None3919.9

Total196100.0

Reasons for choice of facility
 Cheap6633.7
 Accessibility4422.4
 Expert care4120.9
 Referral2613.3
 Afraid of therapy199.7

Total196100.0

𝑛 = 1 9 6 .