Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Flat foot is resulted from any change in the anatomical disposition of the foot
characterized by a limited or nonexistence of the main supporting element (arch) of the foot.
Flat feet can affect all age groups, but developing children?s foot is prone to flat foot. A flat
foot is one of the common reasons for attendance at a children's orthopedic clinic.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of flat
foot among primary school students in Saqute District, Wag Himre Zone, Amhara, Northeast
Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was applied among 555 selected
primary school students. Multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to get the require
d sample size. The interviewer-administerd questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and
SPAI (Staheli Plantar Arch Index) were used as data collection tools. The EPI DATA version
4.6 was used for data entry, and data were exported and analyzed using STATA version 14
software. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to
analyze the data. In bivariable analysis, variables with a P-value of ?0.25 were candidates for
multivariable analysis and variables with a P-value of ? 0.05 in the multivariable analysis
were declared as statistically significant with flat foot.
Result: The prevalence of flat foot among primary school students was 15.14%, (95%CI:
12.38, 18.37). Age 6-10 years old (AOR= 4.91, 95% CI: 2.50, 9.63), being male sex
(AOR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.10, 4.02), wearing closed shoes (AOR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.43, 5.53),
overweight (AOR=33.48, 95% CI: 13.40, 83.63), and traveling more than 30 minutes to reach
their school (AOR= 5.54, 95% CI: 2.87, 10.68) were independently associated with flat foot.
Conclusion and recommendation: The overall prevalence of flat foot in this study was high.
Age 6-10 years old, being male sex, wearing closed shoes, overweight, and traveling more
than 30 minutes to reach their school were factors associated with a flat foot. Sandal shoes
are better to be worn in the community, and overweight reduction mechanism should be
practiced in the school. To prevent traveling more than 30 minutes to reach their school,
government should expand school access. A prospective research should be done to unwind
the interaction between flat foot and relevant risk factors
