MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF PLANTAR ARCH INDEX AND THE PREVALENCE OF FLATFOOT AMONG TRIBES

Flatfoot (pes planus), commonest foot deformity caused by the absence or collapse of the medial longitudinal arch. Flatfoot results in serious health problems and postural defects. It is highly variable in different populations with many factors associated. This study was conducted to find the plantar arch index and the prevalence of flatfoot and its relationship with tribes in Ghana. A total of 278 participants (172 males and 106 females) with ages ranging from 16 to 34 years were recruited for the study. Ethical approval and participants’ informed consent were sought prior to the study. Participants were drawn from the Akan, Ewe, Ga-Dangbe and other tribes (Dagomba, Dagabaa, Frafra, Gonja, Wale Wale etc). Foot imprints were taken from each participant using the ink method. The plantar arch index was calculated using the ratio of the width of the central and the heel region of the footprint. The mean right plantar arch index was higher than the left. The prevalence of flatfoot was 15.1% (6.1% unilateral left, 5.8% unilateral right and 3.2% bilateral). The prevalence rate was 15.7% in males and 14.1% in females. The prevalence rates reported for the Ga-Dangbes and Ewes were 30.8% and 23.6% respectively. On the other hand, both Akans and individuals belonging to the other tribes recorded the same prevalence rate of 13.7%. Flatfoot was found to be high among the Ga-Dangbes. Ethnicity as an external factor has a great role in influencing foot arch structure. Also, sex has an influence on the morphology of an individual’s foot. KEY WORDS: Flatfoot, Pes planus, Foot deformity, Medial Longitudinal Arch.