Factors Associated With Follow-Up Attendance After School Scoliosis Screening: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

Background Follow-up evaluation after school scoliosis screening is essential for early detection and timely management. However, not all children recommended for further evaluation attend secondary screening. This pilot study aimed to explore parental factors associated with follow-up attendance after school scoliosis screening. Methodology This pilot cross-sectional study was conducted as an anonymous online questionnaire survey, distributed via a Quick Response (QR) code to parents or guardians of 31,407 schoolchildren who underwent school musculoskeletal screening in Miyazaki City, Japan. Associations between parental awareness, information-seeking behavior, and intention to attend secondary screening were evaluated using Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 3,072 parents responded (response rate = 10.0%). Among 217 children recommended for secondary screening, 146 (67.3%) had attended and 52 (24.0%) planned to attend secondary screening. Internet-based information-seeking behavior was significantly associated with intention to attend secondary screening (p = 0.006). Other factors, including general awareness of scoliosis, were not significantly associated with follow-up intention. Conclusions This pilot cross-sectional study showed that internet-based information-seeking behavior was associated with intention to attend secondary screening after school scoliosis screening. Although the low response rate and potential selection bias should be acknowledged, the findings highlight the potential role of accessible and reliable scoliosis-related information in supporting parental decision-making. Many parents expressed willingness to access QR-code-linked information; however, because this study assessed willingness rather than an intervention, the effect of such digital tools on actual follow-up attendance remains to be evaluated in prospective studies.