Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey
Abstract 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-...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| author | Jittaporn Mongkonkansai Udomsak Narkkul Chadapa Rungruangbaiyok Chuchard Punsawad |
| author_facet | Jittaporn Mongkonkansai Udomsak Narkkul Chadapa Rungruangbaiyok Chuchard Punsawad |
| author_sort | Jittaporn Mongkonkansai |
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| description | Abstract 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69f8f4b47d3346b1b3391ea55c49a39b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-69f8f4b47d3346b1b3391ea55c49a39b2024-12-08T12:27:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-12-0114111210.1038/s41598-024-81545-1Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional surveyJittaporn Mongkonkansai0Udomsak Narkkul1Chadapa Rungruangbaiyok2Chuchard Punsawad3College of Graduate Studies, Walailak UniversityDepartment of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak UniversityDepartment of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Movement Science and Exercise Research Center, Walailak UniversityDepartment of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81545-1Musculoskeletal discomfortPrimary school studentsSchool bags |
| spellingShingle | Jittaporn Mongkonkansai Udomsak Narkkul Chadapa Rungruangbaiyok Chuchard Punsawad Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey Scientific Reports Musculoskeletal discomfort Primary school students School bags |
| title | Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among Thai primary school students: a school-based cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | exploring musculoskeletal discomfort and school bag loads among thai primary school students a school based cross sectional survey |
| topic | Musculoskeletal discomfort Primary school students School bags |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81545-1 |
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