2025, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp.71-79
ISSN(Print):1857-8152; ISSN(Online):1857-8160
, Vujica Živković2 , Mirko Jakimovski3 2Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Physical Education, Sport and Health, Skopje, Macedonia
1DSU Sportska Akademija. Skopje, North Macedonia
Abstract
Spinal deformities in children, such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis, represent a significant health concern with long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences. Although their etiology is multifactorial, sociodemographic factors are considered potential modulators of risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether, and to what extent, sociodemographic factors influence the occurrence of spinal deformities in schoolchildren aged 11 to 15 years. The study was conducted on a sample of 303 students, divided into two groups: children with identified postural deformities (n = 157) and children without deformities (n = 146). Postural status was assessed using a standardized visual observation method and the New York Posture Rating Scale. Sociodemographic data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The results showed that none of the examined sociodemographic factors—including place of residence, living conditions, family structure, number of children in the family, parental education, employment status, or income regularity—were significantly associated with the occurrence of spinal deformities (p > 0.05 for all analyzed factors). These findings suggest that the risk of developing spinal deformities is distributed across all social groups and that primary preventive interventions should be universal, targeting all students regardless of their sociodemographic background. Further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex etiology of these deformities.
Key words: postural deformities, sociodemographic factors, schoolchildren, prevention
___________________________
References
Abbott, A., Möller, H., & Gerdhem, P. (2013). Contrais: Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomised controlled trial protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14(261).
Bettany-Saltikov, J., Weiss, H. R., Chockalingam, N., Kandasamy, G., & Arnell, T. (2016). A comparison of patient-reported outcome measures following different treatment approaches for adolescents with severe idiopathic scoliosis: A systematic review. Asian Spine Journal, 10(6), 1170–1194.
Fearnbach, S. N., Masterson, T. D., Schlechter, H. A., Ross, A. J., Rykaczewski, M. J., Loken, E., et al. (2016). Impact of imposed exercise on energy intake in children at risk for overweight. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 92.
Fernández, I., Canet, O., & Giné-Garriga, M. (2017). Assessment of physical activity levels, fitness and perceived barriers to physical activity practice in adolescents: Cross-sectional study. European Journal of Pediatrics, 176(1), 57–65.
Gashaw, M., Janakiraman, B., & Belay, G. J. (2021). Idiopathic scoliosis and associated factors among school children: A school-based screening in Ethiopia. Archives of Public Health, 79, 107. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00633-0
Grivas, T. B., Vasiliadis, E. S., & Mouzakis, V. (2006). The effect of swimming on the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis: A comparative study. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 10(3), 131-137.
Gunawardena, N., Kurotani, K., Indrawansa, S., Nonaka, D., Mizoue, T., & Samarasinghe, D. (2016). School-based intervention to enable school children to act as change agents on weight, physical activity and diet of their mothers: A cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(45).
Kim, H. J., Yang, H. K., & Park, Y. G. (2018). Association between smartphone use and musculoskeletal symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1170.
Kuru, T., Yeldan, İ., Dereli, E. E., Özdinçler, A. R., Dikici, F., & Çolak, İ. (2016). The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomised controlled clinical trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 30(2), 181-190.
Laubach, L., Sharma, V., Alsumait, A., Chiang, B., & Kuester, V. (2023). Socioeconomic factors correlation with idiopathic scoliosis curve type and Cobb angle severity. Cureus, 15(2), e34993. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34993
Lizak-Popiołek, D., Czarny, W., & Niewczas, M. (2014). The problem of postural defects in children and adolescents and the role of school teachers and counselors in their prevention. Scientific Review of Physical Culture, 4, 11–18
Mahaudens, P., Detrembleur, C., Mousny, M., & Banse, X. (2009). Gait in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Kinematics and electromyographic analysis. European Spine Journal, 18(4), 512-521.
Monticone, M., Ambrosini, E., Cazzaniga, D., Rocca, B., Ferrante, S., & Fiorentini, R. (2014). Active self-correction and task-oriented exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life in subjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. European Spine Journal, 23(6), 1204-1214.
Negrini, S., Aulisa, A. G., Aulisa, L., Circo, A. B., de Mauroy, J. C., Durmala, J., … & Zaina, F. (2012). 2011 SOSORT guidelines: Orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis, 7(1), 3.
Park, J. H., Jeon, H. S., & Park, H. W. (2017). Effects of the Schroth exercise on idiopathic scoliosis: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 54(3), 440-449.
Plaszewski, M., Kotwicki, T., & Chwala, W. (2015). Study protocol and overview of the literature on long-term health and quality of life outcomes in patients treated in adolescence for scoliosis with therapeutic exercises. Back Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 28(3), 453–462.
Reichel, D., & Schanz, J. (2003). Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment. Pediatric Rehabilitation, 6(3-4), 221-225.
Rowe, D. E., Bernstein, S. M., Riddick, M. F., Adler, F., Emans, J. B., & Gardner-Bonneau, D. (1997). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of non-operative treatments for idiopathic scoliosis. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 79(5), 664-674.
Russell, T., Dharia, A., Folsom, R., Kaki, M., Shumbusho, E., Fajardo, R. J., Shah, K., Shillingford-Cole, V., & Hogue, G. D. (2020). Healthcare disparities in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: The impact of socioeconomic factors on Cobb angle. Spine Deformity, 8(4), 605–611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-020-00097-2
Scaturro, D., Costantino, C., Terrana, P., Vitagliani, F., Falco, V., Cuntrera, D., … & Letizia Mauro, G. (2021). Risk factors, lifestyle and prevention among adolescents with idiopathic juvenile scoliosis: a cross sectional study in eleven first-grade secondary schools of Palermo province, Italy. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(23), 12335.
Schreiber, S., Parent, E. C., Moez, E. K., Hedden, D. M., Hill, D. L., Moreau, M., & Lou, E. (2015). The effect of Schroth exercises added to the standard of care on the quality of life and muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis, 10(1), 24.
Sedrez, J. A., da Rosa, M. I., Noll, M., Medeiros, F. da S., & Candotti, C. T. (2015). Risk factors associated with structural postural changes in the spinal column of children and adolescents. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 33(1), 72–81.
Tahirbegolli, B., Obertinca, R., Bytyqi, A., Kryeziu, B., Hyseni, B., Taganoviq, B., & Shabani, B. (2021). Factors affecting the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis among children aged 8–15 years in Prishtina, Kosovo. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 16786. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96398-1
Tahirbegolli, B., Obertinca, R., Bytyqi, A., Kryeziu, B., Hyseni, B., Taganoviq, B., & Shabani, B. (2021). Factors affecting the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis among children aged 8-15 years in Prishtina, Kosovo. Scientific reports, 11(1), 16786. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96398-1
Tsirikos, A. I., & Jain, A. K. (2011). Scheuermann’s kyphosis: Current controversies. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery British Volume, 93(7), 857–864.
Weiss, H. R., & Goodall, D. (2008). The treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) according to present evidence: A systematic review. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 44(2), 177-193.
Zhou, X., Li, X., Jiang, Y., Huang, J., & Du, Q. (2022). Ethnic disparity in the incidence of scoliosis among adolescents in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 791550. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.791550
Zou, Y., Lin, Y., Meng, J., Li, J., Gu, F., & Zhang, R. (2022). The prevalence of scoliosis screening positive and its influencing factors: A school-based cross-sectional study in Zhejiang Province, China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 773594. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.773594