Scoliosis screening in Maltese secondary schools

Abstract

Scoliosis is an abnormality in the spine, occurring normally during the rapid growth of the child. It affects girls seven to nine times more often than boys. This condition is not easy to detect unless checked for since it is usually painless. Schools with a formal programme for scoliosis screening can make life long differences in the lives of the children for when detected early enough, surgery (in some cases) can be avoided. Without detection and treatment scoliosis can become severe and leads to a deformity that will require surgery to correct. This research study has been carried out in order to investigate the role of scoliosis screening in Maltese secondary schools. Survey questionnaires were distributed to Head of Schools and Physical education teachers in thirty secondary schools in Malta. Prior to 1994, school screening programmes in local schools involved a brief 30-second visual inspection by a physiotherapist, who was assisted by the Physical education teacher of the school. Only nine schools of the survey sample are currently carrying out screening. All the respondents however agreed that a scoliosis screening programme is of immense importance to the health of the child and have recommended and urged its re-introduction in schools. Although knowledge and information on the subject is lacking, most teachers are willing to learn and also offered their assistance. A number of recommendations have been proposed in the hope that they will be implemented and thus the school child will eventually be screened for scoliosis at an early age, thereby preventing future implications.