Rebecca Walsh
Pediatric Musculoskeletal disease (PMSKD) encompasses 150 conditions which can lead to disability,social isolation and economic hardship.Whilst a plethora of data have been produced about the burden of disease in high income countries, few studies have focused on low income countries(LIC). Up to 60% of the need for musculoskeletal health care is not being met in LICs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PMSKD in children aged 5-18 in a rural Tanzanian community and assess the spectrum and burden of PMSKD in children aged 5-18 admitted to a regional hospital in northern Tanzania.
A 10-week door-to-door community cross-sectional study screened for PMSKD using the Pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine tool. An 8-week hospital-based prospective study screened inpatients on pediatric wards at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre(KCMC). Additionally, a retrospective medical records study of children with PMSKD admitted to KCMC in the year 2017 was conducted. 362 children were screened in the community. There were 17 events equating to a prevalence of 4.7% (95%CI=2.5-6.9%). All events related to fractures. This is the first study of its kind in Tanzania and highlights the broad spectrum and burden PMSKD in Northern Tanzania and the need for larger epidemiological studies to quantify the problem and guide resource allocation effectively.
