FREQUENCY OF SCOLIOSIS POSTURE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: SCHOOL SCREENING

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the frequency of scoliosis postures in children and adolescents, and identify possible factors associated to it. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with children and adolescents from 9 to 14
years old enrolled in a Municipal School of Cabula-Beiru Health District in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Students underwent a postural assessment, Adams test and application of semi-structured questionnaire in August and September 2015. The analyzes were conducted in Epi Info software, version 3.5.3, and Pearson Chi-square test was performed to check associations between variables, using statistical significance for p <0.05. Results: Among the 108 students who participated in the study 38 (35.2%) presented scoliosis posture detected by the Adams test. The change was more frequent in females, with statistically significant value to this variable (p =0,035). The presence of asymmetry in tales triangle also was significantly associated with lateral deviation of the spine (p = 0,001). Conclusions: The high frequency of scoliosis posture present in this study reinforces the need to implement primary prevention programs in schools. In addition to promoting the early detection of scoliosis, these programs can help reduce the incidence of other postural injuries.