Knowledge of risk factors and management of plantar fasciitis among clinical-phase medical students

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to assess and evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Plantar Fasciitis (PF), its risk factors and treatment options among clinical phase medical students. Methods: A cross sectional study with a validated online questionnaire was conducted electronically by using social network apps among clinical phase medical students in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Results: There were 408 participants in the study, including 182 (44.6%) women and 226 (55.4%) men. The results showed that both sexes (males n=218; 96.5%; and females n=175; 96.2%) had an excellent understanding of the condition. Overall, the majority of students could agree on each of the PF risk factors: Long periods of standing (83.3%), being overweight (87.7%), being pregnant (64.7%), engaging in intense exercise (53.7%), going barefoot (46.8%) and wearing stiletto heels (74.3%) are all risk factors. Finally, the results of this study revealed an overall significant association between the completion of the orthopedic course and the major PF symptoms (n=408; p=0.01). Conclusion: The study concluded that knowledge of PF in regards to the symptoms, chronicity and type of shoe wear, the effect of BMI and the diagnostic tool was good among the clinical phase medical students, particularly those who completed the orthopedic course. Although we found that 86.5 % of clinical phase medical students had poor knowledge regarding the management of PF which necessitates more educational activities in the public to raise the awareness level of PF and its management.