7th Call - Dr. Ajediran l. Bello
Project Title: Screening for Musculoskeletal Deviations: Epidemiology and Access Barriers to Health Care Service among Junior High School Pupils
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ajediran I. Bello (Department of Physiotherapy SAHS,)
Email Address: aibello@ug.edu.gh
Award Amount: GHC 25,000.00
Project Status: On-going
Summary:
Optimum health care outcome places demand for early diagnosis of diseases and ability to identify barriers that hamper access to health care. Physical screening for musculoskeletal deviations (MSDs) during active growth phase of children and adolescents is crucial to ensure timely prevention and/or ultimate referral for special care. Although screening programme for MSDs is incorporated into schools’ routine formalities in developed countries, such policy is presently missing in Ghana educational sector. The present study will therefore serve as a needs assessment for such periodic musculoskeletal screening at basic education level. Aim: This study is designed to determine the prevalence of MSDs among the Junior High School (JHS) pupils and to provide an overview of the demand side barriers to health care services. Methods: The study population will be JHS pupils within Accra Metropolis. The prospective study schools will be randomly sampled into the study through multi-stage sampling technique. The informed consents of the participants, the parents and the school administrators will be sought and obtained before embarking on the study. During a regular school year, pupils will be screened for various MSDs which could potentially give rise to permanent postural abnormalities. A qualified physiotherapist (Principal Investigator) who has demonstrated expertise in postural evaluation over a period of 10 years will carry out the screening procedure. Information regarding barriers to access health care service, participants’ socio-demographic data and prevalence of MSDs will be obtained and recorded for statistical analysis. Expected output: This study is expected to identify cases of previously undiagnosed musculoskeletal dysfunctions and provide data about the prevalence and pattern of MSDs with a view to alter the natural progression of the dysfunctions. The outcome is also envisaged to identify major barriers that commonly hinder access to health care provision for school age adolescents.