PONSETI METHOD IN BRAZIL: FIRST TEN YEARS OF A CLUBFOOT WEBSITE – USERS PROFILE

Objective: To analyze the profiles of the individuals who access the website regarding congenital clubfoot (CC) information and the first ten years of Ponseti method implementation in Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective documentary study, with quantitative database analysis, from 2002 to 2012. Parents or caregivers completed a semi-structured questionnaire regarding the main difficulties en- countered, the search for different professionals in the area, and what were the main questions the reader might have when searching on a technical website. Results: In total, 94% of participants had a family member or acquaintance with CC, most participants were women (74%), higher education level (40%), married (75%), income above one minimum wage (80%), working in administrative positions (21%,) and living in the urban area (99%). Of the participants, 44% sought three or more physicians at the beginning of treatment, and an average of 77% of the participants used health insurance or a private physician. Conclusion: The participants’ profile regarding CC is composed of women, married, living in urban areas, predominantly from Southeastern Brazil, higher education level, with income above 1.5 minimum wages, and who were treating their children with a private physician. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.