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Table 5 Relationship between knowledge and attitude (role perception and confidence) in physical activity promotion and number of patients counselled in a month

From: Knowledge, attitude and practice of physiotherapists towards promotion of physically active lifestyles in patient management

Variable

 

Counselled <10 patients/Month (n = 197) n (%)

Counselled ≥10 patients/Month (n = 111) n (%)

2

p

Knowledge of Physical activity message

     

Taking the stairs at work and generally being more active each day is enough PA to improve health

High

119(63.3)

69(36.7)

0.01

0.547

Low

76(63.3)

44(36.7)

  

Half an hour of walking on most days is all the exercise that is needed for good health

High

90(64.3)

50(35.7)

0.81

0.419

Low

105(62.5)

63(37.5)

  

Exercise that is good for health must make you puff and pant

High

44(72.1)

17(27.9)

2.55

0.072

Low

151(61.1)

96(38.9)

  

Several short walks of 10 minutes each on most days is better than one round of golf per week for good health

High

183(61.4)

68(35.2)

0.03

0.532

Low

52(53.6)

45(46.4)

  

Perception of role

     

Discussing the benefits of a physically active lifestyle with patients is part of the physical therapist’s role

High

189(63.2)

110(37.6)

0.05

0.567

Low

6(66.7)

3(33.3)

  

Suggesting to patients ways to increase daily PA is part of the physical therapist’s role

High

184(62.8)

106(37.2)

0.68

0.297

Low

11(73.3)

4(26.7)

  

Confidence in promoting Physical activity

     

I feel confident in giving general advice to patients on a physically active lifestyle

High

186(62.4)

112(37.6)

3.17

0.067

Low

9(90.0)

1(10.0)

  

I feel confident in suggesting specific PA programs for my patients

High

182(62.5)

109(37.5)

1.34

0.186

Low

13(76.5)

4(23.5)

  

Physical therapists should be physically active to act as a role model for their patients

High

180(62.5)

108(37.5)

1.26

0.190

 

Low

15(75.0)

5(25.0)

  
  1. P-level of significance set at < 0.05, PA = Physical activity.