PREVALENCE OF NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN AMONG SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN WHO CARRY HEAVY BAG PACKS IN MODERN PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ABBOTTABAD.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children carry heavy school bags on daily bases and these loaded bags might cause serious pain in their neck and shoulder. The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain due to school backpacks usage among students of Modern School System Abbottabad.

METHODOLOGY: The study included 120 students of modern school system aged between 10 to 15 years. A descriptive cross-sectional design was chosen. Data were collected using simple English language questionnaire.

RESULTS: The prevalence of students experience neck and shoulder pain ever during holding bag packs is 87 (72.5%). Students of 12-year-old were more prone to pain and frequency is 42(26%). Female student (88.8%) more pain than male student (62%6). Underweight student experiences 100%. Carrying bag on one shoulder cause more pain (63.33). Carrying bag for longer time cause more pain in neck and shoulder. Moderate pain is more experience by students and prevalence is 35.00.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of neck and shoulder pain in teenagers is high due to carrying heavy schoolbag. Age, gender, manner of carrying backpacks, BMI, time for carrying bags is important factor in this study. Females are more prone to the neck and shoulder ache than males. Students under the age of 12 years are suffering from pain. In Addition, this work also provides evidence of carrying bag on one shoulder cause more pain than carrying bag on both shoulder