Abstract
Foot problems are believed to reduce quality of life and are increasingly present. Even among young adults of university age, untreated foot problems can lead to postural and mobility problems. Accordingly, our aim here was to determine the relationship between foot health and quality of life and general health among male and female university students. Observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Clinic of the University of Coruña, Ferrol, Spain. A sample of 112 participants of median age 22 years came to a health center, where self-reported data were registered, including professional activity, and scores obtained through the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) were compared. In Section One of the FHSQ, the university students recorded lower scores of 66.66 in the footwear domain and 60 in the general foot health domain and higher scores of 84.37 in the foot pain domain and 93.75 in the foot function domain. In Section Two, they obtained lower scores of 60 in the overall health domain and 62.50 in the vigor domain and higher scores of 100 in the physical activity and 87.50 in the social capacity domain. Differences between males and females were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, which showing statistical significance (P < 0.05) regarding the dimensions of footwear and general foot health. These university students' quality of life relating to foot health was poor. This appears to be associated with the university period, regardless of gender.
Highlights
One of the most critical periods in human development is between the ages of 18 and 33 years, which is the bridge between childhood and adulthood.[1]
This age group has specific foot health issues that differ from those of other age groups, such as ankle sprains, tinea pedis, onychomycosis, plantar warts and ingrown toenails.[3,4,5,6]. They are subjected to different kinds of general changes, such as greater autonomy, control over their lifestyle, control over physical activity and development of attitudes and beliefs about health and financial problems.[7,8]. Even at this age, untreated foot problems can lead to scoliosis, postural problems, slower walking speeds, uneven plantar pressure distribution, difficulty in carrying out daily activities, increased risk of falling and appearance of neurological diseases,[9,10] all of which can affect these individuals’ academic achievement, quality of life, personal autonomy and wellbeing.[11]
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between quality of life and foot health among male and female university students, given that the high prevalence of foot problems has been recognized by the governments as a threat to public health
Summary
One of the most critical periods in human development is between the ages of 18 and 33 years, which is the bridge between childhood and adulthood.[1] During this period of physical, psychological, social and sexual development, young people gradually assume responsibility for their own health.[2] In addition, this age group has specific foot health issues that differ from those of other age groups, such as ankle sprains, tinea pedis, onychomycosis, plantar warts and ingrown toenails.[3,4,5,6] They are subjected to different kinds of general changes, such as greater autonomy, control over their lifestyle, control over physical activity and development of attitudes and beliefs about health and financial problems.[7,8] Even at this age, untreated foot problems can lead to scoliosis, postural problems, slower walking speeds, uneven plantar pressure distribution, difficulty in carrying out daily activities, increased risk of falling and appearance of neurological diseases,[9,10] all of which can affect these individuals’ academic achievement, quality of life, personal autonomy and wellbeing.[11] Poor foot health is recognized by the governments in general as an important public health issue because of its negative impact on individuals and on society. This appears to be associated with the university period, regardless of gender
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