Prevalence and risk factors associated with neck pain among smartphone users at the University of Balochistan, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Background Shoulder and neck pain is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Different factors have been associated with it; among these factors some common are the use of a computer and smartphones without a break, sitting in an uncomfortable position. It has been reported that the prevalence of neck pain among smartphone users ranges from 20.0%-73%. This study will evaluate the prevalence of neck pain among smartphone users and the risk factors associated with it at the University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 at the University of Balochistan Quetta to find out the prevalence of neck pain and it risk factors. Data were collected randomly by distributing 500 questionnaires among the students irrespective of age, gender, department, and year of study. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to find out the risk factors associated with neck pain and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results The results revealed that the prevalence of neck pain was 73%. In MVBLR analysis, male gender (OR=0.360, p-value=0.000), students in 4th year (OR=3.281, p-value=0.002), Left handed (OR=0.395, p-value=0.002), the habit of physical exercise (OR=0.594, p-value=0.032), number of social media used in a day (OR=2.414, p-value=0.039), use of other electronic devices (OR=1.858, p-value=0.010), style of holding (OR=3.289, p-value=0.008) and posture adopted during smartphones use (OR=0.614, p-value=0.050) had a significant association with the neck pain during smartphone use among university students. Conclusion In the current study high number of study, participants reported neck pain. Female gender, students in 4th year, left-handed, the habit of physical exercise, use of five or more social media applications, use of other electronic devices, and posture adopted on laying back were the risk factors associated with neck pain.