Abstract
Back pain is currently growing as a major health problem among school age group children, which can limit or hinder their daily life activities. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of school bag use, postural and behaviors habits on back pain occurrence among school children. Descriptive correlation design was used. This study was conducted at ten governmental preparatory schools from both rural and urban schools in Menouf district, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Random sample of 598 preparatory school children including 239 boys and 359 girls aged between 12-15 years of both rural and urban selected schools. Tools: Self-administered structured questionnaire, back pain assessment questionnaire, back pain & body posture evaluation instrument, behavioral habits questionnaire, school bag use questionnaire, and physiological measurements. The main results showed that 74.1% of the studied schoolchildren had suffered from back pain. Female students had significant risk of suffering from back pain by five times than male students. Among school children with back pain, 51.3% had reported moderate pain, the most affected area by pain was shoulder and about one fourth (24.4%) reported that the pain prevented them from performing daily activities. The mean weight of schoolbag carried by all school children was 7.46+ 2. 62 kg and the mean school bag weight as % of body weight was 14.36% ± 4.22. There was significant relationship between back pain and school bag weight, % of body weight, method and duration of carriage. Also, there was a significant relationship between back pain and improper sitting posture for writing, using computer, and sitting in classroom. The study was concluded that back pain among studied school children was high and the pain influences activities of daily life in about one fourth of students. Most of school children carry school bags more than the recommended weights of their body weight. It was associated with sex, parents' history of back pain, duration of sedentary activities, improper posture adopted in performing daily activities, weight of schoolbag, method & duration of carrying schoolbag. Recommendations: The need for developing and implementing of preventative programs in schools about proper postures during daily activities and guidelines for school bag usage.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal health of school age children is a global health problem [1]
Regarding impairment in daily activities, the present result showed that about one fourth of school children suffered from pain reported that the pain prevented them from performing daily activities such as studying, participating in leisure activities and playing
The occurrence of back pain in school children of the studied sample was high (74%) and about one fourth (24.3%) of them reported that the pain prevented them from performing daily activities and 71.3% did not take any action for alleviating back pain
Summary
Musculoskeletal health of school age children is a global health problem [1]. There is evidence that the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in school children and adolescents is increasing [2]. Pain associated with musculoskeletal complaint is a condition where a part of the musculoskeletal system is injured overtime. It affects the tendons and the muscles and the nerves and joints in the neck, upper back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands [3]. The findings of studies revealed that back pain reports in childhood and adolescence are related to back pain in adulthood [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
