Philippine E-Journals

Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis among Grade 6 Pupils of a Private School in Northern Philippines: A Basis for Scoliosis Prevention Program

Belinda A Ramos | Lorna S. Sable | Roxanne G. Santos | Ferdinand Bulusan

 

Abstract:

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most globally prevalent type of scoliosis among children above 10-year-olds at 0.47 – 5.2%. It is unrecognized until deformities are manifested and surgical intervention is required because there are many countries with no screening program for its prevention. This study aims to find out the risk potential of 6th graders in a private school in the northern Philippines to help come up with a rationale for the creation of a school scoliosis screening program to prevent future deformities and the possibility of surgical intervention in the future. The study used Adam’s forward bending test, the leg length discrepancy test, and the posture deviation test as screening tests for the possible presence of scoliosis. To identify possible sources of risks, an unstructured interview of the participants was also done. The findings of the study reveal that postural deviation of shoulder asymmetry is exhibited by the participants who were less than 50 kilograms in weight as a result of carrying heavy school bags for at least 5-10 minutes per day. There is a potential risk of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis among the 6th grader participants in two existing aspects: the postural deviation (shoulder asymmetry) and the repetitive carrying of heavy school bags. School screening programs may be created as part of the primary health care services of the school health program to prevent future consequences of the disease.