Categorization of Gait Deviations and Pattern of Physical Deformity Among Selected Tertiary Institution Students Living with Deformity in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

Background and objectives: gait deviations refer to abnormal patterns of movement that may arise due to various physical deformities.Physical deformity on the other hand is a condition where there is an abnormality or malformation in the physical structure of a person's body.This study categorized gait deviations and pattern of physical deformity among physically deformed tertiary students in Owerri.Methods: the study focused on tertiary students living with gait deviation due to physical deformity in four (4) tertiary institutions of Imo state, Nigeria, with 94 participants who willing participated in the study.Using self-reported data, data was collected through physical meetings and a structured questionnaire, providing insights into the specific gait abnormalities, their potential impacts on the students' daily activities and quality of life, the pattern of their physical deformity.SPSS was for quantitative analysis, and descriptive statistics was used to synergize and interpret the findings.Results: the result shows53.2% of respondents are male, with 46.6% female.Dominant physical deformity is pes planus 26.6%, genu recurvatum 24.5%, pes cavus 23.4%, muscle dystrophy 13.8% and cerebral palsy 11.7%.36.2% had acquired physical deformity, while 61.7% is congenital.83% of the respondents experienced pain, which is mostly around the leg region, 6.4% experienced pain at the spine and at more than one body part respectively.20.2% reported mild pain, 29.8% reported moderate pain, 30.9% reported severe pain, while 2.2% reported excruciating pain.60% of the students affirmed changes in the leg movement while walking.Abducted hip 21.3%, adducted hip 13.8%, valgus 13.8%and varus 11.7% are some of the leg movement deviations identified among the respondents.33% of the students experienced changes in their posture as a result of their physical deformities.The identified postural changes are lordosis 14.9%, scoliosis 10.6% and kyphosis 7.4%.82% of the respondents experienced a change in their step length, with the majority having a step length that is below normal 61.7%, above normal and normal 10.6% respectively.limping gait 22.3%, steppage gait 20.2%, spastic gait 19.1%, waddling gait 16% and hemiplegic gait 13.8% were the identified gait deviations Conclusion: significant physical deformities exist among tertiary institution students in the study area, with noticeable gait deviations that could affect their daily functional and activity abilities/efficiency.There is a need to draw up policies and measures that will support them both in their rehabilitation program and daily life activities.