Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of scoliosis affecting primary school children aged ten to eleven in the metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa, by using clinical screening methods. Comparisons are drawn between gender, race groups and government and independent primary schools.
DESIGN
A case study approach, incorporating the clinical screening of primary school children aged ten to eleven years, of all races and both genders, in both government and independent schools, was used. Thirty-two primary schools were considered (sixteen government and sixteen independent primary schools) out of which one class of pupils satisfying the age criteria of the sample group was randomly selected for screening.
PROCEDURE
Children involved in the study were screened for scoliosis using two methods, namely Adams’ Position and the Erect Position. Screening in the Erect Position made use of a vertical plumb line to detect deviation of the spine from the midline. Screening for scoliosis using the Adams’ Position required the subject to flex his/her trunk forward so that the skyline of the back could be observed for the presence of a rib hump unilaterally. At least one of the abovementioned tests had to be positive to make the diagnosis of scoliosis. Subjects’ age, gender, race, school and test results were captured on data collection forms for statistical evaluation.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of scoliosis, including all forms of the disease, was found to be far greater in the primary schools of Johannesburg than what statistics for the United States and world incidence indicated. Scoliosis was found to be most prevalent in independent primary schools and in White children, with socio-economic status having a seemingly strong influence on the prevalence of scoliosis. The male to female ratio of scoliosis was found to be statistically equal.
Dr. M. A. Buchholtz
Dr. M. Moodley