Clubfoot in Oshana Intermediate Hospital, Oshana region, Namibia, 2017

Abstract

Introduction : clubfoot, is a term for the medical condition called congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV). It is a congenital deformity involving one foot or both. Without treatment, people with club feet often appear to walk on their ankles or on the sides of their feet. High number of cases of club foot has been reported from the northern part of Namibia. To date no studies of club foot were conducted in Namibia. The aim of this study is to determine the overall incidence of infants born with congenital club foot deformity in the Orthopaedic Clinic in Oshana Intermediate Hospital region which is a referral Centre for northern Namibia. Methods : we conducted a descriptive study reviewing the records of patients visiting the orthopaedic clinic in Oshana region from January 2015 to June 2017. The data was analyzed using EPI Info 7 and was summarized into frequencies and proportions. Statistical significance was determined at p-value Results : a total of 170 patients with clubfoot records were reviewed from 5 regions in the North including Angola which is a neighbouring country. The highest number of clubfoot babies were from Ohangwena 44 (27.16), followed by 43 cases of Omusati (26.54), 42 cases of Oshana (25.93), 22 cases of Oshikoto (13.58), 8 cases of Angola (4.92%) and 3 cases from Kunene (1.85%). Males were 80 (56.74%) (P-value = 0.09). Though it is recommended that club foot treatment start at age of 2 weeks, only 11 (6.7%) cases presented at 2 weeks of age. First attendance at age of 1 month was 31 (18, 45%), 2 months was 23 (13, 53%) and also at the ages of 1 year was 20 (11, 76%) and 2 years was 11 (6, 47%) up to the age of 4 years. Outcome improved for all cases, but those who present early have better outcome. Conclusion : clubfoot is common in northern Namibia. The condition can be effectively treated and the outcome is better if patients present early. Further study is needed to determine the risk factors for club food and reasons for delaying seeking treatment.