Knowledge, Attitude & Practice of Bangladeshi Occupational Therapists in Occupational Therapy Practice: A Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Occupational Therapy (OT) is a vital client-centred health profession in Bangladesh, yet a comprehensive understanding of the professional competencies of its practitioners remains underexplored. Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of occupational therapists is crucial for identifying strengths, gaps, and avenues for professional development to enhance service quality and align with global standards. Aim: This study aimed to explore the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Bangladeshi occupational therapists regarding occupational therapy practice and to examine associations with key demographic and professional variables. Methods and Materials: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted over six months among 320 registered occupational therapists practicing across Bangladesh. Participants were selected via convenience sampling from diverse healthcare, academic, and rehabilitation settings. Data were collected using a structured, self administered questionnaire encompassing socio-demographic details and validated self-developed KAP scales. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Fisher exact test, correlation analyses) were employed for data analysis using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The findings revealed exceptionally high levels of KAP among participants. The majority demonstrated good knowledge (96.9%), positive attitudes (97.2%), and good professional practices (98.1%). Over 94% of therapists correctly identified the core focus of OT as promoting functional independence. Strong adherence to evidence based practice, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration was reported. However, significant associations were found between KAP levels and demographic factors. Therapists aged 30 years or younger and those with 1-10 years of experience exhibited significantly better knowledge than their older and more experienced counterparts (P<0.001). Practice quality was also significantly higher among urban practitioners compared to those in semi-urban and rural areas (P=0.001). Furthermore, educational attainment was positively associated with more favorable attitudes (P=0.001). Conclusion: Bangladeshi Occupational Therapists possess a strong foundational knowledge, highly positive professional attitudes, and consistently good clinical practices. The profession is well-positioned with a motivated and competent workforce. However, the study highlights critical challenges, including a potential knowledge update gap among senior therapists and significant urban-rural disparities in practice quality. To sustain and build upon this strong foundation, the implementation of structured continuous professional development (CPD) frameworks, expansion of postgraduate education, and targeted support for rural practitioners are strongly recommended. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Occupational Therapy, Bangladesh.