Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Secondary School Teachers in Ekiti State Regarding Hospital Referral for Sports-Related Head Injuries among Students

Abstract

Background: Sports-related head injuries among students are common and require timely recognition and hospital referral to prevent complications. Teachers often serve as first responders in school settings, especially in low-resource environments.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of secondary school teachers in Ekiti State regarding hospital referral for sports-related head injuries.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 teachers using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) were assessed using predefined scoring systems. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with logistic regression used to identify predictors of good referral practice.

Results: Most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of key concussion signs, including recognition of red flag symptoms (85.4%) and appropriate emergency response (88.9%). Overall, 69.6% had a positive attitude toward referral. However, only 52.0% reported frequent hospital referral practices (always/often). Common barriers included lack of training (66.7%), absence of school policy (62.0%), and transport challenges (57.3%). Predictors of good referral practice included good knowledge (AOR 2.34, p=0.001), positive attitude (AOR 1.96, p=0.005), and formal training (AOR 2.88, p<0.001).

Conclusion: While teachers demonstrated relatively good knowledge and attitudes, referral practices remain suboptimal due to systemic and training-related barriers. Targeted training and institutional support are essential to improve outcomes.

Keywords:

Head injury, Teachers, Referral, Knowledge, Nigeria

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