Exequibilidade da técnica de Moiré de Sombra na identificação de desvios posturais em escolares do Rio de Janeiro: um caso de promoção de saúde na escola

Abstract

Postural disorders are common findings in schoolchildren, what can progress to severe deformities and compromise the life quality. Therefore, the screening performation in the school environment is important, as the early detection of postural deviations in this population reduces the possibility of worsening in adulthood. The Shadow Moiré Technique (SMT) has the potential to be used as an alternative in performing postural screening, as it is characterized as a low-cost procedure with easy and quick application. Considering the evidences in the scientific literature, there was no data found on the prevalence of postural deviations in schoolchildren of Rio de Janeiro, using SMT, and also guarantees that this technique is feasible in local schools. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to verify the feasibility of using SMT in periodic screenings in the school environment, and the secondary objective was to identify the prevalence of postural deviations and their associated factors in a public school in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The feasibility of the SMT was examined on the basis of pre-established parameters that allow to detect relationships between the technique used and the environment reserved for its application. To identify the prevalence, the sample consisted of 304 schoolchildren, of both sexes, aged between 6 and 17 years old. The SMT application procedures and the analysis of the collected data were based on authenticated scientific literature protocols’, allowing the examination of the difference in the number of fringes in the dorsal and shoulder girdle regions. Statistical analysis was performed using a logistic regression to identify variables associated with the prevalence of postural changes. As a result of the described parameters, it was identified that the entire sample was examined in seven days and there were no difficulties in performing the technique and processing the images. In addition, the space needed and the materials required were considered accessible. Therefore, the findings regarding the examination of the feasibility of SMT demonstrated that the technique can be considered feasible for postural screening in public schools in Rio de Janeiro. The secondary objectives for the prevalence of postural deviations analysis, the sample detected 225 subjects with different fringes in the dorsal region and in the shoulder girdle. In relation to the associated factors, it was identified that the variables sex, age, body mass index and physical activity, as well as the interaction between them, showed good predictive ability of the response variable presence of back deviation. It was confirmed that SMT is a low cost technique, it has an accessible technological basis, with low temporal request, material demand for data collection and data processing. The high prevalence of postural deviations and de factors associated found in this study highlights the importance of preventive actions and screening, through SMT. The SMT was considered feasible for population screenings, allowing the implementation of public health programs at school, aiming to improve the life quality.