OKORIE, PEACE FELICITY

BACKGROUND: The foot's functionality is crucial for maintaining balance, stability, and efficient movement. The arch index acts as an initial indicator of potential structural and functional anomalies, and can be used to assess the occurrence of pes planus and potentially predicting pathological foot conditions. AIM: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, types of pes planus among undergraduate students in the University of Benin. METHOD: This ex-post-facto study recruited 400 volunteers (200 males and 200 females) healthy undergraduate, aged between 17-30 years old. Footprints were collected using ink method, traced and selected foot dimensions were taken on the foot. Plantar arch index for each foot was calculated using Staheli’s plantar index method where the plantar index (PI) equals the ratio of central region (A) to heel region (B) (PI=A/B). Data collected were summarized using
descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, percentage and analysed using inferential statistics of independent T-test. Alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULT: The result showed the point prevalence of pes planus as 17% among this population. The study also identified significant differences in the prevalence of pes planus subtypes, with flexible pes planus (83.8%) being more prevalent than the rigid type (16.2%), and gender differences were observed in the plantar arch index (p<0.05), with males showing higher PI values compared to females. CONCLUSION: This study result found a low pes planus prevalence, in line with normal range with flexible more common than rigid type. Gender difference exist in arch index observed. RECOMMENDATION: Further research should be conducted on pes planus prevalence and
subtypes in diverse populations, considering factors such as ethnicity, age, weight, BMI, and geographical location. KEYWORDS: Pes planus, Flat foot, Plantar arch index