25Apr 2017

THE CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT OF SCHOOL BAG ON PRIMARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF ALEXANDRIA GOVERNORATE

  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.
  • Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health.
  • Department of Biostatistics, High Institute of Public Health.
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Background: The effects that backpacks can potentially have on the body ranges from no noticeable change in upright posture, postural stability and/or pain to the assumption of a position of trunk flexion accompanied by pain and postural instability. External forces, such as heavy backpack loads, may affect the development of normal skeletal alignment, resulting in musculoskeletal complaints, vertebral abnormalities and compensatory strategies that alter postures and structures. Objectives: To evaluate the different parameters of school bag and the percentage of the bag weight in relation to the student?s body weight, perception of stability, subjective musculoskeletal pain, impact on medical utilization and lost school time. Methods: The study was conducted in primary and preparatory schools of Alexandria Governorate. One thousand and twenty nine students were chosen randomly based on educational zones, type of school, and sex. An interview questionnaire was used to collect data about the characteristics, symptoms and the description of the students' bags. Results: Almost half of students carried school bags that weigh ≥ 10% of their body weight and the most significant predictors were school type and student?s age. Also, students who had poor believes about the school bag use, were more likely to have relative school bag weight ≥ 10%. Students belonging to families with sufficient income, positive family history of back pain, students? BMI <19 and had better knowledge about school bag carriage were more likely to report moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain. Falling or feeling of fall while carrying the bag, were significantly more represented among those with relative heavy school bag.

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[Abeer A. Abdelati, Hanan K. Elmorshedi, Fatemah K. Bassiouni, Gehan M. Mounir, Mona H. Ahmed and Manal Y. Tayel. (2017); THE CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT OF SCHOOL BAG ON PRIMARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF ALEXANDRIA GOVERNORATE Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Apr). 1266-1275] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com

Abeer Ali Abdelati
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/3944      
DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/3944

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