Prevalence scoliosis and associated factors among khmer school children in the Mekong delta in 2021

Abstract

The study aims to determine the prevalence of curvature of the spine and scoliosis and some related factors amongst Khmer students at 8 primary schools in 4 provinces: Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and An Giang in 2021. Design a cross-sectional study, conduct a survey 2,461 childrens. Students were screened for curvature of the spine and scoliosis and then interviewed, combined with observing the sitting posture and surveying the suitability of the desk and chair in the classroom. The results showed that the prevalence of curvature of the spine and scoliosis was 24.0%, in which, curvature of the spine (kyphosis or lordosis) was 19%, scoliosis was 79.2% and the combination of both curvature and scoliosis was 1.8%. Factors that increase the likelihood of scoliosis include: poor/near poor family economic conditions, rural area, thin body, the height of desks and chairs in class is not suitable for the height of children, sitting in the wrong posture, not having a separate study corner at home, habit of sleeping in a hammock or carrying a bag on just one shoulder. Improving the nutrition, the height of desks and chairs and knowledge of parents and teachers on the subject are important to reduce the risk of scoliosis among children in the Khmer community in the Mekong Delta.