ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE USE OF KNEE BRACES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AMONG PATIENTS AGED 36 YEARS AND ABOVE IN MULAGO NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/xhwpnq97Keywords:
Attitude towards the use of Knee braces, Knee osteoarthritis, Mulago National Referral HospitalAbstract
Background
Patient’s beliefs about the effectiveness and safety of medications influence their choices of medication. This study aims to explore the attitude towards the use of knee braces in the management of knee osteoarthritis among patients aged 36 years and above at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Methodology
The study was descriptive, and cross-sectional employing quantitative data collection approaches from 45 respondents. It included all male and female patients who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in the Orthopedic workshop.
Results
The majority of respondents 64.4% had a poor attitude towards the use of knee braces. 32(71.1%) felt that knee brace appearance and design influence their use, and 29(64.4%) were not satisfied with the comfort of knee braces. 29(64.4%) did not believe that they were effective while 16(35.6%) believed that braces were effective. Out of 39 respondents, 30(76.9%) felt that braces were moderately effective, 5(12.8%) thought they were very effective and 4(10.2%) thought that knee braces were not effective at all. Out of 29 would not recommend braces to others, 10(38%) would not recommend them because they were expensive, 8(32%) because knee braces are difficult to maintain, 4(15%) because knee braces were not effective, and another 4(15%) because they were bulky. By age 3(6.6%) were aged 36-45 years, 5(11.1%) were aged 41-45years, 17 (37.7%) were aged 46-50years and the most respondents were 20(44.4%) aged 51 years and above.
Conclusion
Patients had alarming negative attitudes towards the use of Knee braces in the management of Knee OA which is more likely to affect their adherence to Knee Braces.
Recommendation
There should be adequate funding for public health education through awareness campaigns on the benefits of knee braces and other new effective management options for common diseases to address attitude constraints among the public.
