Perceived occupational prestige of physiotherapy in Nigeria among physiotherapy undergraduates: implication for public and healthcare professionals’ awareness of the role of physiotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Background The occupational prestige of any occupation is of interest to its members and prospective members. A profession’s occupational prestige influences its desirability, marketability, professional autonomy and social esteem, and career selection among prospective university undergraduates. This study aimed to assess the perception of the occupational prestige of physiotherapy in Nigeria among physiotherapy undergraduates and to explore its determining factors. Methods This study employed a mixed method design. The quantitative component involved 280 students from four universities in Nigeria, while the qualitative part involved 35 students. The participants in the survey completed a questionnaire on occupational prestige, and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In addition, the qualitative data was analyzed using content thematic analysis. Results The perception of occupational prestige obtained from the cross-sectional survey showed that 12.1% of the participants perceived it as low, 49.3% as intermediate, and 38.6% as high. Overall, 49.3% of the participants ranked physiotherapy fourth, following medicine, engineering and law. The qualitative component corroborated these findings and further explained that the perceived status resulted from public perception of the profession in relation to other jobs, especially within the health care team. Conclusion Physiotherapy is ranked intermediate occupational prestige by most physiotherapy undergraduates. The significant determinants of this ranking are poor knowledge and awareness of physiotherapy among other health care professionals and the general public. To enhance the occupational prestige of physiotherapy, there is a need for public awareness of physiotherapy and its role and inter-professional education among health care professionals.