Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Relation With Weight of Backpacks in School-Going Children in Eastern India

Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey

Musculoskeletal discomfort among children carrying school bags is an increasingly significant problem. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal discomfort among Thai primary school students who carry excessively heavy school bags. We conducted cross-sectional descriptive research involving 489 primary school students (ages 7-12). We utilized the standardized Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) to assess discomfort in various body regions. Measurements included student weight, school bag weight, and the angles of neck and trunk inclination. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing musculoskeletal discomfort. The results showed that the majority of students had musculoskeletal discomfort (66.67%). The average relative weight of the school bags was 17.46 ± 6.02%. Significant risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort included being female (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.12-3.10), being in grades 1-3 (AOR = 0.221, 95% CI = 0.05-0.91), carrying bags for more than 20 min per day (AOR = 28.87, 95% CI = 8.93-93.31), not storing books at school (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.07-3.95), and carrying a school bag weighing > 10% of the student's body weight (AOR = 65.46, 95% CI = 14.73-290.93). Additionally, neck and trunk inclinations > 20 degrees were associated with increased discomfort (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.89-5.57; AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.58-6.70). The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was higher in Thai primary school students. Female, Grades 1-3, carrying bags exceeding 20 min/day, carrying a school bag weighing > 10% of the student's body weight, and neck and trunk inclinations > 20 degrees were predictor variables for musculoskeletal discomfort. Thus, collaborative efforts from educational institutions, educators, parents, and students are essential in addressing this issue.

Prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents in Brazil: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Estimates of prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents vary considerably and the impact of pain on children's life is often not considered.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the one-month prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents. The secondary aims are to: 1) determine the body region with the highest prevalence; 2) understand the characteristics of the children with disabling musculoskeletal pain; and 3) describe the parents' perception of the prevalence.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private schools in the states of São Paulo and Ceará, Brazil. Children self-reported presence and impact of pain, pain intensity, psychosomatic symptoms, and quality of life. Parents completed parent-proxy versions and perception of the child's sleep quality. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data.

RESULTS

A total of 2,688 children and adolescents were included in this study. The prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal pain in the previous month was 27.1%. The back was the region most often affected (51.8%). Children with disabling musculoskeletal pain were older, heavier, had worse relationships with their family, perceived their backpacks as heavy, carried their backpacks more with one shoulder, had more negative psychosomatic symptoms, had poorer quality of life, and had higher pain intensity. Parents tended to underestimate the presence of pain in their children.

CONCLUSION

The one-month prevalence of activity limiting musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents was 27.1% with the back being the most often affected body region. Parents tended to underestimate the presence of pain in their children.