Prevalence and severity of genu valgum among school children aged 6-12 years in rural South India

Abstract

Background: Fluorine is the most abundant element in nature, and about 96% of fluoride in the human body is found in bones and teeth. Fluorosis is caused by exposure to a continuous high level of fluoride for a long time leads to dental and skeletal deformities. Study was done to assess the prevalence and severity of genu valgum among the school children in rural Koppal. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among all the students, in the age group 6-12 years in Koppal taluk from August 2016 to December 2016. Data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using proportions and chi-square test. Results: The total school children enrolled in study 1722, the mean age group was 9.24. 31.4 % were in the age group of 10-11, Male students constituted about 45.1%. Majority of the students had nuclear family in their house (59.8%). Almost half of the study subjects were in class III socio-economic status (42.7%).The prevalence of genu valgum was 11.2%. Conclusions: The study finding interprets the prevalence of genu valgum is high in the community.