PES PLANUS: INCIDENCE AMONG AN ADULT POPULATION IN ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

The prevalence of pes planus was determined in an adult Nigerian population in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. A total of 649 subjects comprising 325 males and 324 females aged 18-27 years were used for the study. The dynamic footprints of the subjects were obtained using endorsing ink and plain duplicating paper. Based on the objective index developed by Qaura et al, (1980) the contact index II was determined as the ratio of the contact width to the total width of the footprints. Descriptive statistics for each variable included mean and standard deviation (SD). Mean ±1-2SD was regarded as normal but greater than that was considered as pes planus. A total of 45 subjects had pes planus comprising 22 males and 23 females. The overall prevalence of pes planus was 13.9% with a prevalence of 6.8% among males and 7.1% among females. Bilateral pes planus was commoner among males (4.9%) than females (4.0%). Unilateral pes planus was commoner among females (3.1%) compared to males (1.9%). The results showed that the prevalence of pes planus was higher (P<0.05) among females than males in our study.