Shangguan Yi, Chen Cheng, Dong Shiyu, Liu Kai
Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of adolescent scoliosis in Shinan District,Qingdao City,through campus screening,explore the regional,gender,and grade characteristics of suspected scoliosis cases,and provide a scientific basis for improving the regional adolescent spinal health management system. Methods A cross-sectional study design was adopted. From September to December 2024,stratified random sampling was conducted in 28 primary and secondary schools in Qingdao City,covering 45612 students aged 6 to 16 years. The initial screening was conducted using the observation method,observing the height of both shoulders,the symmetry of the scapulae,the symmetry of the iliac crests,and the alignment of the spinal midline. Subsequently,the trunk rotation angle (ATR) was measured. Under the guidance of therapists,students performed the Adam’s forward bend test,and the Scoliometer was used to measure the rotation angles of each spinal segment. An ATR≥ 5° was set as the positive threshold. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk method. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies (percentages). The χ² test was used to compare gender and regional differences,and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate differences in prevalence among grades. Results A total of 45612 students were screened,with a suspected scoliosis (ATR≥ 5°) detection rate of 4.82%. Among them,971 students in Shinan District had a suspected scoliosis rate of 4.42%,and 1227 students in Laixi City had a suspected scoliosis rate of 5.19%. The suspected scoliosis rate in Shinan District was lower than that in Laixi City (F = 14.970,P< 0.005). A total of 22479 girls and 23133 boys were screened. Among them,1388 girls and 810 boys were suspected of having scoliosis,with a suspected scoliosis rate of 6.17% for girls,significantly higher than 3.50% for boys (F = 19.329,P< 0.005). The suspected scoliosis rates for the sixth grade of primary school and grades one to three of junior high school were as high as 5.90%,5.90%,6.20%,and 7.30%,respectively. The suspected scoliosis prevalence in higher grades was significantly higher than that in lower grades (F = 23.276,P< 0.005). Conclusion Differentiated prevention and control of scoliosis in urban and rural areas,with a focus on screening resources in suburban areas such as Laixi (e.g.,portable electronic measuring devices),and the establishment of a “school-medical-home” referral network in collaboration with grassroots health centers to shorten the diagnosis and intervention cycle. Consider listing girls and junior high school students as key groups for scoliosis screening in regular physical examinations in Qingdao,and establish an integrated system of “screening-referral-intervention”.