Objective: To determine the frequency of back pain in school going children carrying
school bags.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Orthopedics Department, District Head Quarter Hospital, Timergara, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from 23rd May 2022 to 23rd November 2022. All children studying in class 6 to 10 in public schools were included in this study. Data was collected by filling modified validated Fairbank questionnaire through face-to-face interview.
Results: Out of 340 children, male and female students were 170 each. Mean age was 12.3±2 years. The mean percentage of school bag to body weight was 12.3±2.1. Majority (94.11%, n=320) students carried the school bag daily. Maximum (85.29%, n=290) number of students carried the same school bags daily while 30(8.82%) students revealed that they carried somewhat heavier bag the other days. Back pain was noted by 135(39.70%) students while 205(60.29%) students reported no back pain. Back pain was mild in 110(81.48%) students and moderate in 25(18.51%). The majority (77.77%, n=105)) of students believed carrying school bags were responsible for their back pain. Female children and children carrying heavier bags were more prone to develop back pain than others(p
Key words: Back pain, Low back pain, school backpack.
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