ABSTRACT
Background: Selecting a career is a multifaceted and intricate process, which can be challenging to predict and understand. The pursuit of career depends on the information available to the students and different factors that influences career choices. Many prospective university students prefer to know more about courses such as medicine, nursing and medical laboratory science compared to physiotherapy, therefore leading to low awareness of physiotherapy among prospective students. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the perception of physiotherapy as a possible career choice among prospective university students in Benin Metropolis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 394 senior school students randomly selected via randomized sampling technique among selected secondary schools in Egor, Ikboba-Okha, Oredo and Ovia North East local government areas of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A validated self administered questionnaire adopted from similar study was used to obtain information on the perception of physiotherapy among prospective university students. Data was summarized using descriptive statistical frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation and bar charts. Results: Among 11 other professions, physiotherapy ranked 9th in physical stress (mean = 3.11), level of usefulness (mean=3.57) and social status (mean=3.43) 11th in responsibility (mean=3.44), and 8th in salary (mean = 3.37). Overall, physiotherapy ranked 8th with a mean ranking of 20. 60 in occupational prestige when compared with 11 other occupations. Education (mean = 4.08) and skills (mean = 4.08) were identified as the most critical factors when choosing a career. Additionally, factors like achieving high education levels, earning a high salary, and gaining family trust and respect emerged as significant considerations among students when evaluating career preferences. Conclusion: Physiotherapy ranked relatively low in occupational prestige, responsibility, salary perception, physical stress, and social standards. Education and skills were identified as the most critical factors when choosing a career. Keyword: Keywords: Perception, prospective university students, career, physiotherapy.
