Socio-economic conditionings of families with children treated due to scoliosis in Eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Scoliosis is a serious clinical problem which requires a systematic physical therapy and control of body balance--treatment from the moment of achieving skeletal maturity by a child. In the situation of neglect of such a management, the deformation of the spine often requires surgical intervention. The role of parents in the process of treatment of a child is undeniable. The study concerned the determination of socio-economic conditions and the engagement of parents with children treated due to scoliosis in Eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey. The study group consisted of 193 parents (148 females (76.7%) and 45 males (23.3%))--a randomly selected sample of the parents of children who participated in scoliosis rehabilitation courses in rehabilitation centres in Eastern Poland. The significance of the relationships between variables was investigated by means of chi-square test for independence. The differences between the empirical and theoretical sample distribution was examined by means of chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The study group covered 47.7% of inhabitants of the rural areas and small towns, and 52.3% of inhabitants of medium-size and large cities. Respondents with a higher economic status were more engaged in the treatment of their child with scoliosis. A greater number of parents with university education level reported to a specialist; however the frequency of these visits, similar to incomplete families, was the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: The accessibility to specialists is lower in the rural than urban areas. 1. There is a relationship between the economic standard of the family and engagement in the treatment of a child with scoliosis. 2. There is a need to develop a system of education of parents concerning scoliosis and the consequences of neglecting treatment. 3. The system of public health services is insufficient for satisfying health demands of patients with the diagnosis of scoliosis.