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Title: PREVALENCE OF NEUROPHOBIA AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTOR AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY”
Authors: Muhammad Atif, Shah Faisal Wazir, Syed Issam Ullah Jan, Nafeesa Taj, Aqsa Rehan, Anosha Tariq
Journal: Insights-Journal of Health and Rehabilitation
| Category | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Y | 2024-10-01 | 2025-12-31 |
Publisher: Health And Research Insights (SMC-Private) Limited
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
Language: English
DOI: 10.71000/ijhr210
Keywords: studentsAnxietyFearNeurologyClinical competencePhysical TherapyNeurophobia
Background: Neurology is widely regarded as a challenging field due to the intricate structure of the nervous system and the diversity of neurological disorders and symptoms. Neurophobia, defined as the fear or anxiety surrounding neurology, often arises from its perceived complexity and the challenges of diagnosing and managing neurological conditions. This phenomenon is frequently reported among medical and allied health students, potentially impacting their academic confidence and clinical performance.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of neurophobia and its associated risk factors among physical therapy students in Peshawar.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated neurophobia questionnaire developed by Schon et al., along with demographic information. The study included 324 physical therapy students, both male and female, selected conveniently from rehabilitation institutes in Peshawar. Data collection spanned six months, and responses were documented via face-to-face interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, with descriptive and inferential tests applied to determine associations between neurophobia and its risk factors.
Results: Out of 324 participants, 91.4% (n=296) reported experiencing neurophobia. Among them, 88.1% (n=261) were undergraduate students, with fourth-year students showing the highest prevalence, followed by fifth, third, and second-year students. Females were more commonly affected than males. A majority identified key factors contributing to neurophobia, including lack of exposure (70.4%, n=228), limited faculty support (54.7%, n=162), and fear of making mistakes (67.3%, n=218). However, no statistically significant associations were found between these factors and neurophobia (p>0.05). A significant association was observed between neurophobia and undergraduate students as well as rehabilitation institutes (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of neurophobia among physical therapy students in Peshawar, particularly among undergraduates. The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions to address this issue and improve student confidence in neurology.
To assess the prevalence of neurophobia and its associated risk factors among physical therapy students in Peshawar.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated neurophobia questionnaire and demographic information. The study included 324 physical therapy students from rehabilitation institutes in Peshawar. Data was collected over six months via face-to-face interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, employing descriptive and inferential tests.
graph TD;
A["Define Research Objective"] --> B["Conduct Cross-sectional Survey"];
B --> C["Select Participants"324 PT Students""];
C --> D["Administer Neurophobia Questionnaire & Demographics"];
D --> E["Collect Data 6 Months"];
E --> F["Analyze Data using SPSS v23"];
F --> G["Interpret Results"];
G --> H["Draw Conclusions & Recommendations"];
The study highlights a significant prevalence of neurophobia among physical therapy students in Peshawar, with a notable impact on undergraduates and females. While several factors were identified as potential contributors, the lack of statistically significant associations suggests a complex, multifactorial nature of neurophobia. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance student confidence in neurology.
A high prevalence of neurophobia was reported, with 91.4% (n=296) of participants experiencing it. Undergraduate students, particularly fourth-year students, showed the highest prevalence. Females were more commonly affected than males. Key contributing factors identified were lack of exposure (70.4%), limited faculty support (54.7%), and fear of making mistakes (67.3%). However, no statistically significant associations were found between these specific factors and neurophobia (p>0.05). Significant associations were observed between neurophobia and undergraduate students and rehabilitation institutes (p<0.05).
Neurophobia is highly prevalent among physical therapy students in Peshawar, particularly among undergraduates and females. Factors such as limited exposure, perceived complexity, and insufficient institutional support contribute to this phenomenon. Targeted educational reforms and enhanced clinical opportunities are recommended to reduce neurophobia and improve competence in managing neurological conditions.
1. Prevalence of Neurophobia: 91.4% (n=296) of the 324 participants reported experiencing neurophobia.
2. Data Collection Period: Data collection spanned six months, from May 2023 to October 2023.
3. Statistical Software: SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis.
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