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Determinants for Congenital Clubfoot in Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study at Black Lion Specialized Hospital
Seid Mohammed Abdu1, Birhanu Ayana2, Girma Seyoum3
1Department of Medical Anatomy, School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Wollo University Dessie Amhara Region Ethiopia.
Insights
Congenital clubfoot in Ethiopia is linked to low education, male gender, family history, smoking, chronic illness, and alcohol use. Awareness and support for pregnant women are crucial for prevention and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Clubfoot is a common congenital deformity, disproportionately affecting children in low- and middle-income countries.
- Ethiopia lacks observational studies on factors influencing clubfoot, despite its public health significance.
- Congenital clubfoot remains an overlooked concern, particularly in children under five.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the determinants of congenital clubfoot in Ethiopian children.
- To identify risk factors associated with clubfoot deformity.
Main Methods:
- An institution-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted at Black Lion Specialized Hospital.
- 284 participants (96 cases, 188 controls) were enrolled.
- Data were analyzed using SPSS 25, employing frequency, percentage, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Significant factors associated with clubfoot include lack of formal education (AOR=8.29), chronic illness (AOR=2.57), smoking exposure (AOR=4.83), alcohol history (AOR=5.39), male gender (AOR=2.08), and family history of clubfoot (AOR=12.78).
Conclusions:
- Key determinants identified: low education, male gender, family history, smoking, chronic illnesses, and alcohol use.
- Findings highlight the need for increased awareness among pregnant women regarding potential determinants.
- Empowering pregnant women with knowledge and providing nutritional support can aid in managing congenital clubfoot.
Background:
Clubfoot is a frequently occurring congenital deformity and continues to be overlooked public health concern, especially among children under-fives year old in low and middle-income countries, where approximately 90% of cases occur in these developing world. Despite this significant burden, no observational studies in Ethiopia have examined the factors influencing clubfoot deformities. To bridge this gap, our study aimed to investigate the determinants of congenital clubfoot among children attended the black lion hospital.
Material And Methods:
An institution-based, unmatched case-control study was carried out at Black Lion Specialized Hospital. A total of 284 participants (96 cases and 188 controls) were enrolled to identify potential risk factors for congenital clubfoot. SPSS 25 was used for analysis, and terms like frequency, percentage, and logistic regression were used for data analysis.
Result:
In this study of 284 participants, several factors were significantly associated with clubfoot included lack of formal education (AOR = 8.29), chronic illness (AOR = 2.57), smoking exposure (AOR = 4.83), alcohol history (AOR = 5.39), male (AOR = 2.08), and family history of clubfoot (AOR = 12.78).
Conclusion:
This research revealed key determinants of congenital clubfoot, including low education, male, family history, exposure to smoking, chronic illnesses, and alcohol use. The finding point out the importance of raising awareness and empowering pregnant women to identify and manage potential clubfoot determinants, and nutritional support during pregnancy.
