Background Mobile technology has spread rapidly around the globe. In 2018 the numbers of mobile subscribers in Ethiopia hit 66.2 million. Musculoskeletal complaints related to smartphone use in different body parts have been reported ranging from 8.2% to 89.9%. Neck pain has the highest prevalence rate, which ranges from 17.3% to 67.8%. However, there is limited evidence on the burden of neck pain related to Smartphone usage and no research is done in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the burden of neck pain and factors associated with smartphone use in Ethiopia. Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with neck pain among smartphone users at University of Gondar. Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2019 to determine the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain, with a sample of 845 university student smartphone users at University of Gondar, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data. Independent variables which had a significant association were identified using logistic regression models. Results were reported by using texts and frequency distribution tables. Results Out of 845 questionnaires distributed, 808 students responded; hence, the response rate was 95.6%. The overall prevalence of neck pain among smart phone users in the past 12 months was 47.4% (95% CI, 44.1–50.9%). Attending 5th year (AOR: 3.907, 95% CI: 1. 952–7.82) and 6th year (AOR: 2.93,95% CI: 1,304–6.59), regular physical exercise (AOR: 2.405, 95% CI: 1.549–3.734), cigarette smoking (AOR: 5.415, 95% CI: 2.685–10.919), residency (AOR: 1.681, 95% CI: 1.181–2.391), break while using smartphone (AOR: 3.253 95% CI: 2.252–4.699), used smartphone > 6 hour per day (AOR: 2.782 (1.528 95% CI: 1.528–5.063), used other devises (AOR: 3.158 95% CI: 2.128–4.689), number of social media used daily (AOR: 2.007 95% CI: 1.228–3.2788), used devise for playing game (AOR: 1.484 95% CI: 1.024–2.15) were factors significantly associated with neck pain. Conclusion The current study depicted that nearly half of the study participants reported neck pain in the past 12 months. Attending last year of university, personal characteristics, use of smart phone for longer period, playing game, not taking break, other electronic device use, increased number of social media use were associated with neck pain among smartphone users.

BackgroundEthiopian school children often carry school supplies in heavy school bags and encounter limited school facilities. This stresses their vulnerable musculoskeletal system and may result in experiencing musculoskeletal pain. High prevalence of musculoskeletal pain has been documented, but data on musculoskeletal pain among elementary school children in Ethiopia is lacking. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among elementary school children in Gondar, Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional study was conducted among children from six randomly selected elementary schools. Sample size was determined proportionally across school grades and governmental and private schools to ensure variety within the sample. Data collection consisted of physical measurements including height, weight and schoolbag weight, and a structured questionnaire on musculoskeletal pain, mode of transport, walking time and school facilities. Data were analysed descriptively and through uni- and multivariate logistic regression model.ResultsIn total 723 children participated. The overall prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain was 62%, with a significant difference between school types (governmental 68% versus private 51%). Shoulder, neck and lower leg/knee were most commonly reported. Walking to and from school for ≥20 min (OR = 2.94, 95% CI 2.05 to 4.21) and relative school bag weight (OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.47) were found significantly associated with self-report musculoskeletal pain. Children with carrying heavy school supplies and also walking long duration have a 3.5 (95% CI = 1.80–6.95) times greater chance of reporting pain as compared to those who carry lesser weighed bags and reported shorter walking duration at the same time.ConclusionsPrevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain was high among children attending public schools and also those who walked a long way to and from school. Long walking duration and relative school bag weight were significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain. These findings can inform policymakers to provide transportation services and other facilities at elementary schools. The findings of this study should be interpreted with caution due to possible social desirability bias with higher prevalence of self-reported pain and more so in children population.

Background: The stroke-specific quality of life 2.0 (SSQOL 2.0) scale is a valid, reliable instrument which has been widely used as a patients reported outcome measure among stroke survivors However, the SSQOL scale has not been validated and used in any Ethiopian language. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the SSQOL scale 2.0 in Amharic, the official language of the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia among Amharic speaking post-stroke Ethiopian people. Methods: The adapted English version of the SSQOL 2.0 scale was translated into Amharic and then back-translated to English. An expert committee translated and created a final Amharic version of SSQOL (SSQOL-AM) scale. Pre-field testing (pilot & cognitive debriefing) was conducted with 15 post-stroke subjects. The SSQOL-Am was administered to 245 stroke survivors from four referral hospitals to determine the psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha and Intra-class correlation coefficient were used to calculate the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, spearman’s correlation for the convergent construct validity of the SSQOL-Am scale. The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimum Detectable Change (MDC), Bland Altman Limit of Agreement (LOA), and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were also determined.Results: The SSQOL-Am demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.93), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96), SEM 0.857, MDC 1.94, and good LOA. As postulated, the mobility domain of the tool demonstrated a significantly strong correlation with the physical function domain of the SF-36 (rho = 0.70, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The SSQOL-Am is a valid and reliable outcome measure. The tool can be used in both clinical practice and research purposes with post-stroke Ethiopian survivors.

Background: People with chronic low back pain experience myriads of problems from living with their condition. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of people with chronic low back pain in Ethiopia. Design: This is a qualitative semi-structured study design which used an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach for data analysis. Participants: Fifteen adults (10 women and 5 men) with chronic low back pain (duration ≥ 3 months) with age ranging from 19 to 66 years old were interviewed. Setting: Participants were recruited from the outpatient departments of the University of Gondar hospital in Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods: Data was collected through an in-depth semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed through an iterative process, beginning with a line-by-line coding to identify the lived experience of chronic low back pain. Findings: Five main themes related to the lived experience of people with chronic low back pain emerged: 1) CLBP impacts life on a day-to-day basis, 2) The invisibility of pain results in misunderstanding, misjudgment, and loneliness, 3) The cause of pain is a mystery, 4) The search for the cure is a quest, 5) Each person has their ways of managing, coping, and living with pain. Conclusion:The findings from this study improve our understanding of the experience of people with chronic low back pain and its impact on their day-to-day life in Ethiopia. The findings from this study could inform the development of culturally centered chronic low back pain interventions such as self-management programs in the Ethiopian context.