Knowledge among physical education professionals about poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis syndrome: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Figures & data

Figure 1 Questionnaire result (0–20) separated by physical education professionals without (n = 175) or with (n = 42) access to information about post-poliomyelitis syndrome.

Notes: Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test.

Table 1 Answers of physical educational professionals related to poliomyelitis

Questions	Yes n (%)	No n (%)	Did not know n (%)	Did not answer n (%)
Have you heard about poliomyelitis?	208 (95.9)	9 (4.1)	N/A	0
Have you had information about poliomyelitis?	125 (57.6)	91 (41.9)	N/A	1 (0.5)
Is poliomyelitis caused by a virus?*	116 (53.5)	17 (7.8)	84 (38.7)	0
Can poliomyelitis be spread through water and/or food contaminated with feces from a sick person?*	27 (12.4)	76 (35.0)	114 (52.5)	0
Can poliomyelitis cause gastrointestinal symptoms?*	18 (8.3)	49 (22.6)	150 (69.1)	0
Can poliomyelitis cause neuromuscular symptoms such as paralysis, paresis, muscle atrophy, and weakness?*	190 (87.6)	1 (0.5)	26 (12.0)	0
After the acute poliomyelitis stage, can patients recover functional capacity of affected structures fully or partially?*	86 (39.6)	46 (21.2)	85 (39.2)	0
Is poliomyelitis eradicated around the world?*	48 (22.1)	114 (52.5)	55 (25.3)	0
Is there a vaccine available to prevent poliomyelitis?*	196 (90.3)	2 (0.9)	19 (8.8)	0
May poliomyelitis treatment involve admission to the intensive care unit due to respiratory impairment?*	38 (17.5)	16 (7.4)	163 (75.1)	0
Are you afraid to live with a person who had poliomyelitis?	3 (1.4)	211 (97.2)	N/A	3 (1.4)
During your undergraduate course, have you had access to information on how to handle patients with poliomyelitis in your future profession?	30 (13.8)	183 (84.3)	N/A	4 (1.8)
In your practice (eg, hospital, clinic, gymnasium, school), have you ever provided service for people with sequelae of poliomyelitis?	34 (15.7)	176 (81.1)	N/A	7 (3.2)
Can people with sequelae of poliomyelitis perform any type of physical activity?*	163 (75.1)	1 (0.5)	52 (24.0)	1 (0.5)

Note:

* These questions composed the questionnaire.

Abbreviation: N/A, not applicable.

Table 2 Answers of physical educational professionals related to post-poliomyelitis syndrome

Questions	Yes n (%)	No n (%)	Did not know n (%)	Did not answer n (%)
Have you heard about PPS?	55 (25.3)	158 (72.8)	N/A	4 (1.8)
Have you received information about PPS?	42 (19.4)	170 (78.3)	N/A	5 (2.3)
Is PPS a disease that only affects patients who have had paralytic poliomyelitis?*	37 (17.1)	19 (8.8)	160 (73.7)	1 (0.5)
Is there any restriction of intense physical activity for poliomyelitis patients?*	70 (32.3)	13 (6.0)	134 (61.8)	0
Can people with PPS perform any type of physical activity?*	106 (48.8)	3 (1.4)	108 (49.8)	0
Is there a need for clinical follow-up of patients years after having been affected by poliomyelitis?*	87 (40.1)	11 (5.1)	119 (54.8)	0
Is the most appropriate way to diagnose PPS based on symptomatology?*	39 (18.0)	6 (2.8)	172 (79.3)	0
Is there an effective treatment for PPS, a little known disease?*	17 (7.8)	19 (8.8)	181 (83.4)	0
Is the poliovirus responsible for onset of PPS?*	19 (8.8)	10 (4.6)	188 (86.6)	0
Is PPS considered a neuromuscular disease?*	78 (35.9)	6 (2.8)	133 (61.3)	0
Are the main clinical manifestations presented by PPS patients new weakness, fatigue, and muscle and/or joint pain?*	61 (28.1)	4 (1.8)	152 (70.0)	0
Can neuromuscular symptoms of PPS occur in limbs previously affected by poliomyelitis?*	63 (29.0)	4 (1.8)	150 (69.1)	0
Can PPS be considered a progressive neuromuscular disease, presenting a slow worsening of signs and symptoms?	46 (21.2)	5 (2.3)	166 (76.5)	0
Are you afraid to live with a person who has PPS?	5 (2.3)	205 (94.5)	N/A	7 (3.2)
During your undergraduate course, have you had access to information on how to handle PPS?	4 (1.8)	203 (93.5)	N/A	10 (4.6)
In your practice (hospital, clinic, gymnasium, school), have you ever provided service for people with PPS?	8 (3.7)	201 (92.6)	N/A	8 (3.7)

Note:

* These questions composed the questionnaire.

Abbreviations: N/A, not applicable; PPS, post-poliomyelitis syndrome.