Knowledge and awareness of occupational therapy and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda , ,
- 2School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal , , ,
- 3Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boitekanelo College , ,
- 4Occupational Therapy Division, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University , ,
Abstract
Background: Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered health profession that supports health and wellbeing by enabling individuals to engage in daily activities. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda, limited awareness and knowledge of OT among healthcare professionals (HCPs) hinder collaboration and access to services. Therefore, this study aimed to determine HCPs’ awareness and knowledge of OT and identify associated factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 HCPs from five teaching hospitals in Rwanda. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Knowledge and Attitude Toward OT Practice Tool. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with awareness and knowledge of OT. Associations were reported using adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 201 HCPs, 102 (50.7%) were female, 74 (36.8%) were aged 31–40 years, and 40 (19.9%) were mental health nurses. Overall, 151 (75.1%) participants were aware of OT, while more than half (n = 104, 51.7%) exhibited poor knowledge. Physiotherapists [aOR = 6.3, 95% CI (1.6–25.5), p = 0.010], general nurses [aOR = 5.6, 95% CI (1.7–18.1), p = 0.004], and mental health nurses [aOR = 5.8, 95% CI (1.8–18.7), p = 0.003] reported higher likelihoods of awareness of OT than medical doctors. Awareness of OT was significantly associated with working in habilitation/rehabilitation services [aOR = 3.8, 95% CI (1.9–7.5), p < 0.001] and positive perceptions of OT. Similarly, good knowledge of OT was associated with profession, previous professional practice outside Rwanda, awareness of OT, and a positive perception of OT. Specifically, physiotherapists [aOR = 8.2, 95% CI (2.5–27.0), p = 0.001], ophthalmic clinical officers [aOR = 8.6, 95% CI (1.5–49.4), p = 0.016], general nurses [aOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.2–8.6), p = 0.024], and mental health nurses [aOR = 2.7, 95% CI (1.1–7.3), p = 0.045] had higher odds of good knowledge of OT than medical doctors.
Conclusion: Although awareness of OT was relatively high among HCPs, more than half demonstrated poor knowledge of the profession. Greater awareness and knowledge were associated with professional background, involvement in habilitation or rehabilitation services, previous professional practice outside Rwanda, direct experience working with occupational therapists, and positive perceptions of OT. Considering these results, our study highlights the need for strengthening interprofessional education and continuing professional development to improve understanding and integration of OT within the Rwandan healthcare system.
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BibTeX
@article{ishimwe2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge and awareness of occupational therapy and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study}},
author = {Didier Ishimwe and Elysee Aubaine Nsengimana and Emmanuel Biracyaza and Pierre Damien Turikumana and Felix Niyonkuru and Potien Uwihoreye and Lizahn G. Cloete},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmed.2026.1722607},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727406},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge and awareness of occupational therapy and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study
AU - Didier Ishimwe
AU - Elysee Aubaine Nsengimana
AU - Emmanuel Biracyaza
AU - Pierre Damien Turikumana
AU - Felix Niyonkuru
AU - Potien Uwihoreye
AU - Lizahn G. Cloete
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in medicine
DO - 10.3389/fmed.2026.1722607
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727406
AB - Background: Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered health profession that supports health and wellbeing by enabling individuals to engage in daily activities. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda, limited awareness and knowledge of OT among healthcare professionals (HCPs) hinder collaboration and access to services. Therefore, this study aimed to determine HCPs’ awareness and knowledge of OT and identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 HCPs from five teaching hospitals in Rwanda. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Knowledge and Attitude Toward OT Practice Tool. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with awareness and knowledge of OT. Associations were reported using adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 201 HCPs, 102 (50.7%) were female, 74 (36.8%) were aged 31–40 years, and 40 (19.9%) were mental health nurses. Overall, 151 (75.1%) participants were aware of OT, while more than half (n = 104, 51.7%) exhibited poor knowledge. Physiotherapists [aOR = 6.3, 95% CI (1.6–25.5), p = 0.010], general nurses [aOR = 5.6, 95% CI (1.7–18.1), p = 0.004], and mental health nurses [aOR = 5.8, 95% CI (1.8–18.7), p = 0.003] reported higher likelihoods of awareness of OT than medical doctors. Awareness of OT was significantly associated with working in habilitation/rehabilitation services [aOR = 3.8, 95% CI (1.9–7.5), p < 0.001] and positive perceptions of OT. Similarly, good knowledge of OT was associated with profession, previous professional practice outside Rwanda, awareness of OT, and a positive perception of OT. Specifically, physiotherapists [aOR = 8.2, 95% CI (2.5–27.0), p = 0.001], ophthalmic clinical officers [aOR = 8.6, 95% CI (1.5–49.4), p = 0.016], general nurses [aOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.2–8.6), p = 0.024], and mental health nurses [aOR = 2.7, 95% CI (1.1–7.3), p = 0.045] had higher odds of good knowledge of OT than medical doctors. Conclusion: Although awareness of OT was relatively high among HCPs, more than half demonstrated poor knowledge of the profession. Greater awareness and knowledge were associated with professional background, involvement in habilitation or rehabilitation services, previous professional practice outside Rwanda, direct experience working with occupational therapists, and positive perceptions of OT. Considering these results, our study highlights the need for strengthening interprofessional education and continuing professional development to improve understanding and integration of OT within the Rwandan healthcare system.
SN - 2296-858X
ER -