Foot health among the Roma population of southern Spain according to the foot health status questionnaire

Health conditions contribution to disability burden in Spain and the role of ethnicity and migrant status: A nation-wide study

BACKGROUND

Disability is frequently associated with contextual or lifestyle factors. Some health conditions may affect the prevalence of disability differently, especially for some minority groups. This study aims to assess the impact and contribution of different health conditions to disability burden in Spain in Roma and immigrant populations, compared to the general population.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. We have used data from the Spanish National Survey of 2017 and the National Health Survey of the Roma Population 2014. We have calculated frequencies of demographic variables and prevalence of health conditions grouped by body function. We also have fitted binomial additive hazard models, using the attribution method, to assess disabling impact and contribution of health conditions to disability burden. The software R was used for the computations.

RESULTS

Roma and immigrant populations had worse socioeconomic status than the general population, although the gap was more heavily marked among Roma. Roma population showed a higher prevalence in all health conditions, with a disability prevalence of 57.90%, contrary to the immigrant population, that showed a lower prevalence in all health conditions, including disability (30.79%), than the general population (40.00%). However, all health conditions were more disabling in the immigrant population. Neurological and cardiovascular diseases, and accidents among Roma, were the most disabling conditions. Nevertheless, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and sensory diseases among Roma, had a greater contribution to disability burden, mainly due to a combination of a great prevalence and a great impact in functions of those health conditions.

CONCLUSION

Both ethnicity and migrant status have shown differences in the burden of disability. While in the general population, musculoskeletal problems have the greatest contribution to the disability burden, in immigrants it was chronic pain and in the Roma population it was sensory problems. Disparities by sex were also found, with the contribution of musculoskeletal diseases being more important in females.

Foot health and quality of life among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Foot conditions are frequent among the Saudi population. However, little is known regarding the effects of foot health on quality of life among the general Saudi population. This study aimed to assess foot health status, general health, and quality of life among the population of Riyadh using the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, out of the total number of participants approached, using a preset questionnaire, by trained medical students to participate in this study, 398 met the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire started with an informed consent followed by a set of questions regarding the sociodemographic and past medical characteristics of the participants. Foot health and overall health were assessed using a FHSQ.

RESULTS

A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between all the FHSQ domains, except for footwear. The strongest correlation was observed between foot pain and foot function, foot pain and general foot health, and foot function and general foot health. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between general foot health and general health, vitality, social function. Our results also showed that foot pain, general foot health, vitality, and social function scores were significantly lower in women as compared to men.

CONCLUSION

Significant positive correlation was observed between poor foot health and declining quality of life; thus, it is crucial to increase society's awareness of the importance of medical foot care and continuous follow-up and consequences if left unrecognized and untreated. This is a major domain that can improve the well-being and quality of life of a population.

Impact of foot health behavior among ethnic minority populations: A cross-sectional population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of the foot health and health behavior and the characteristics of outdoor footwear among minority ethnic groups.

DESIGN AND MEASURES

A cross-sectional study design using the Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain, foot function, shoe, general foot health, general health, physical activity, social capacity, and vigor. Outcomes included the self-reported type of outdoor footwear and clinical characteristics by sex were collected in 2019-2020.

SAMPLE

A total of 78 Roma participants self-identified as members of this ethnic minority and 72 participants non-Roma were assessed (n = 150).

RESULTS

The lower score values was recorded in the footwear and general foot health domains in Roma population. General population obtained higher scores in general health domains. The most common outdoor footwear types were running shoes and walking shoes in non-Roma population, versus flip flops and slippers in Roma population. Clinical characteristics did not show any statistically significant differences (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Roma people wear flip flops and slippers and non-Roma people running shoes and walking shoes. These findings reveal cultural differences that make it easier for the Roma population to experience a greater burden of foot health problems. General foot health and foot pain dimensions show statistically significant differences among ethnicity.