Musculoskeletal Pain and Backpack Usage among School Children in Nairobi County, Kenya.
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Date
2017
Authors
Ogana, S. O.
Osero, J.O.
Wachira, L.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJOL
Abstract
Background: School children travel to and from school on daily basis. Active
transportation such as walking, running and cycling contribute significantly to
the increase in physical activity, health, and wellbeing in children. However,
there has been a growing concern on the effect of carrying heavy backpack on
the health of school going children who are at an important developmental
stage of their lives.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain linked to
backpack use and associated ergonomic factors among pupils in Nairobi City
County in Kenya.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Primary schools in Nairobi County
Subjects: 379 school-going children
Results: The study results indicate that a significant number of pupils (73.6%)
complain of musculoskeletal pain. Low back pain (25.1%) was the most
prevalent musculoskeletal pain followed by neck pain (16.9%). There was a
significant association (p=0.001) between backpack weight-to-schoolchild body
weight (BTSW %) and the presence of musculoskeletal pain. The proportion of
pupils carrying school bag weighing more than 15% of their body weight was
28%.
Conclusion: Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain related to backpack usage
among Kenyan school going children is high. School children who carry
backpacks that weigh more than 15% of their body weight (BTSW %) are at
risk of experiencing musculoskeletal pain.
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Citation
Ogana, S. O., Osero, J. O., & Wachira, L. J. (2017). Musculoskeletal pain and backpack usage among school children in Nairobi County, Kenya. East African Medical Journal, 94(6), 413-419.