Mongkonkansai Jittaporn, Narkkul Udomsak, Rungruangbaiyok Chadapa, Punsawad Chuchard
College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 5;14(1):30287. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-81545-1.
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.
背着书包的儿童出现肌肉骨骼不适是一个日益严重的问题。本研究旨在确定背负过重书包的泰国小学生肌肉骨骼不适的患病率及危险因素。我们开展了一项横断面描述性研究，涉及489名小学生（7至12岁）。我们使用标准化的康奈尔肌肉骨骼不适问卷（CMDQ）来评估身体各个部位的不适情况。测量内容包括学生体重、书包重量以及颈部和躯干倾斜角度。采用逻辑回归分析影响肌肉骨骼不适的因素。结果显示，大多数学生存在肌肉骨骼不适（66.67%）。书包的平均相对重量为17.46 ± 6.02%。肌肉骨骼不适的显著危险因素包括女性（比值比[AOR]=1.87，95%置信区间[CI]=1.12 - 3.10）、1至3年级（AOR=0.221，95% CI=0.05 - 0.91）、每天背书包超过20分钟（AOR=28.87，95% CI=8.93 - 93.31）、不在学校存放书籍（AOR=2.06，95% CI=1.07 - 3.95）以及书包重量超过学生体重的10%（AOR=65.46，95% CI=14.73 - 290.93）。此外，颈部和躯干倾斜角度大于20度与不适增加相关（AOR=3.25，95% CI=1.89 - 5.57；AOR=3.26，95% CI=1.58 - 6.70）。泰国小学生肌肉骨骼不适的患病率较高。女性、1至3年级、每天背书包超过20分钟、书包重量超过学生体重的10%以及颈部和躯干倾斜角度大于20度是肌肉骨骼不适的预测变量。因此，教育机构、教育工作者、家长和学生共同努力对于解决这一问题至关重要。
