Gift Chinyere Uzoigwe1, Fabian Chibunine Ugwueze1, Tochi Emmanuel Iwuagwu1, Okechukwu Kingsley Oforka1, Chinwe Stella Odo1, Donatus Udochukwu Chukwudo1, John Ezebuilo Ogugua1, Chukwuebuka Nnagozie Bosah1
1University of Nigeria, Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Nsukka, Nigeria
Socio-Demographic Characteristics in Relation to the Knowledge and Attitudes of Physical Education Teachers about Sports Injuries Management in Enugu State, Nigeria
Sport Mont 2025, 23(2), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.250605
Abstract
The study assessed the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitudes of sports injuries’ management among physical education teachers (PETs) in secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria. An institutional- based cross-sectional study was conducted on 294 PETs between December 2023 and January 2024 across the six education zones in Enugu State. Knowledge of sports injuries management was measured using Knowledge Test Scale, while Attitude about sports injuries management was measured using Attitude Scale. Frequency, percentage, and binary logistic regression were used for data analyses. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for the data analysis. The findings revealed that more than two-thirds (71.0%) of PETs had good knowledge of sports injuries management, while 29.0 per cent had poor knowledge. More than two-thirds (71.7%) of PETs expressed positive attitudes toward sports injuries’ management. Only years of job experience (OR=2.263, 95% CI [1.100-4.658], p=0.027) was significantly associated with knowledge about sports injuries’ management. Gender, educational qualification, and years of job experience (p>0.05) were not significantly associated with attitudes toward sports injuries’ management among PETs. This research proves that good knowledge and positive attitudes can help in proper management of common sports injuries in secondary schools. However, there should be establishment of collaborations with healthcare professionals, such as athletic trainers or sports medicine physicians, who can provide expert guidance and support to PETsin managing sports injuries. This collaboration can involve workshops, consultations, and referrals when necessary.
Keywords
knowledge, attitude, sports, sports injury management, physical education teachers, secondary schools
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