Keywords
backpack
primary school pupils
How to Cite
Abstract
Background. School-aged children frequently suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and these can be caused by carrying heavy school bags or backpacks.
Objectives. To assess the prevalence of MSDs among primary school pupils and determine the association of MSDs with the type of school the children were attending (private or public), and the average weight of the school bags they carried and its relationship with pain intensity.
Methods. In a cross-sectional study of 240 primary school pupils aged 8 - 12 years (n=118 public and n=122 private), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and a structured questionnaire on school bag use were administered to the respondents. The children’s height and weight and the weight of the bags were measured. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and the alpha level was set at 0.05.
Results. Of respondents attending private schools, 68.0% (n=83) reported having experienced pain over the past 12 months and 49.2% (n=60) over the past 7 days. The point prevalence of pain was 22.1% (n=27). For public school respondents, the prevalences were 41.5% (n=49), 36.4% (n=43) and 13.5% (n=16), respectively. The 12-month prevalence for all respondents was 55.0% (n=132). The body parts most affected over the past 12 months were the shoulders in the private schools (37.7%; n=46) and the neck in the public schools (16.1%; n=19). The average weight of the school bags carried by the private and public school pupils was 3.86 kg and 1.91 kg, respectively. There was a significant association between the prevalence of MSDs and the type of school over 12 months (χ²=149.197; p=0.000) and over 7 days (χ²=147.241; p=0.000), and for point prevalence
(χ²=150.008; p=0.000). There was a significant relationship between pain intensity and the weight of the backpack (r=0.243; p=0.000).
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