Scoliosis In Kenya

Written by Ibadat Warring

The Facts

In sub-Saharan African countries, such as Kenya, the estimated prevalence of scoliosis is between 3.3% and 5.5% (Waterkeyn et al., 2023). Managing scoliosis in these regions is challenging due to a shortage of surgeons, inadequate hospital infrastructure, and limited technological resources. Consequently, there is a significant lack of awareness about this musculoskeletal condition and its treatment, contributing to a gap in the medical care available to children with scoliosis.

A study by du Toit et al. (2020) highlights this issue, revealing that only one-third of physiotherapists could correctly answer questions related to scoliosis, and only 16.5% could answer more than 70% of the questions accurately. This not only demonstrates a lack of knowledge but also affects how practitioners assess and manage patients showing symptoms of scoliosis (du Toit et al., 2020).

Importance

In resource-limited settings, it is particularly difficult for children to receive necessary treatment and follow-up care. In impoverished areas, parents often cannot afford care such as surgery or spinal braces, leading to delayed or forgone medical interventions. Additionally, low levels of healthcare literacy can prevent children from seeing a doctor due to previous experiences, heightened expenses, and a lack of understanding about the condition. Consequently, without proper disease management, children frequently remain untreated, and the spinal curvature worsens.

The challenge is compounded by limited healthcare accessibility. For example, Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital serves over 1 million people but is understaffed and resource-deficient, with overcrowded corridors and waiting rooms. Families living in remote areas struggle to access well-equipped medical centers for their children’s care. There is also a shortage of specialized healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists and pediatricians. When trained professionals lack a deep understanding of assessment and management, specialized care becomes even less accessible.

In environments where accessing healthcare is extraordinarily difficult, it is crucial to address financial, geographical, and educational barriers, and to restructure healthcare infrastructure comprehensively. This includes training for healthcare professionals, community outreach, and educational programs for children and their families. Initiatives like ours are dedicated to raising awareness about scoliosis and improving healthcare infrastructure in resource-limited settings, helping children maintain hope.

Personal Experience

During a week-long pediatric rotation at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya, I encountered many cases of communicable diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, as well as conditions stemming from poor quality of life, like malnutrition. The healthcare providers were overwhelmed by resource shortages and long patient queues. Many families could not afford the necessary treatments or medications and left the hospital disheartened. Despite these challenges, the children were remarkably resilient, their hopeful smiles and playful antics around the doctor's office brought joy to everyone they met. I am honored to be part of an organization committed to providing the essential care these children need to manage conditions like scoliosis.

References

du Toit, A., et al. (2020). Current knowledge of idiopathic scoliosis among practising physiotherapists in South Africa. The South African journal of physiotherapy, 76(1), 1500. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1500

Waterkeyn, F., et al. (2023). Evaluating the Feasibility and Outcomes of a Scoliosis Surgical Camp in a Resource-Limited Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa. World neurosurgery, 180, e550–e559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2023.09.109

Image Credit

Image by Ibadat Warring