The Weight of Schoolbags and Musculoskeletal Pain in Children of Selected Schools in Thimphu, Bhutan: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The carriage of loads on the back in children, >10% of one’s body weight (BW), induces postural change and morbidity related to spinal pain. We studied the weight of schoolbags and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain related to carrying schoolbags among children in Thimphu, Bhutan.
 Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with a multistage cluster sampling, conducted amongst grade 8 and 10 students. Data were collected using a standardized self-administered questionnaire and weights of students and schoolbags were measured. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings. Means were compared using t test and risk factors were identified using logistic regression.
 Results: There were 131 students whose schoolbags weighed >10% body weight (BW). The mean weight of schoolbags was 4.6 ±1.5 kg for grade 8 students and 4.0 ±1.5 kg for grade 10 students. Musculoskeletal pain in at least one body region was reported by 411 students. Schoolbags weighing >10% BW and carrying the bags over only one shoulder were significant risk factors for reporting musculoskeletal pain. There were 197 students whose schoolbags did not have any safety feature; students did not use them consistently even if they were present.
 Conclusions: The weight of school bags that were more than the recommended ≤10% BW was a strong factor in reporting musculoskeletal pain. Parents and students may be educated on the use of schoolbags with safety features. Measures such as providing storage facilities in schools may reduce the weight of bags.

Effect of Schoolbag Weight on Musculoskeletal Pain among Primary School Children in Yaounde, Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Our study showed that the average of schoolbag weight in the whole population is close to what is reported by other authors. 9,27,35 Nevertheless, this value is higher than those found by Mwaka et al 1 , Dianat et al 19 , and Furjuoh et al 36 On the other hand, the value obtained in school children in the present study is lower than that reported by Ibrahim 31 and Dorji et al 37 This disparity in schoolbag weight in these different studies could be explained by differences in curricula in each country, by levels of development, and by behavioral and cultural differences between countries.…”

“…more than 60%. 6,16,19,37 The analysis of the adjusted odds ratio showed that the risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms was higher for school children in categories >10% to ≤15% and >15% and this in the French-speaking subsystem compared to the English-speaking subsystem (p < 0.001).…”

The Acute Effects of Schoolbag Loading on Posture and Gait Mechanics in 10- to 13-Year-Old Children: A Cohort from the North West Province

“…A notable agreement in the literature pertains to the tolerable upper ‘threshold’ for load carriage in younger age cohorts being ~10–15%BM [ 2 , 3 , 9 , 45 ]. The current study appears to agree on the basis that those carrying loads above 15% were ~9 times more likely to report pain associated with bag carrying compared to those below the threshold.…”

“…Schoolbag carriage is a necessary component for most schoolchildren that, when excessive, can (i) compromise posture, (ii) induce neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, (iii) moderate cardiopulmonary function, and (iv) cause shoulder, back, and hand pain. The primary mediating factor for adverse reactions associated with schoolbag carriage is likely related to the actual mass of the schoolbag and, because of the nature of carrying, places most of the mechanical stress on the cervical vertebrae, shoulders, and lower back [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Heavy schoolbag loads are also typically associated with postural deviations such as posterior pelvic tilt [ 6 ], increased thoracic kyphosis [ 7 ], altered postural angles (e.g., cranio-vertebral angle [CVA], cranio-horizontal angle [CHA], sagittal shoulder posture [SSP], and lumbo-sacral angle) [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], increased forward trunk lean [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], changes in lung function [ 1 , 16 ], and changes in both gait kinetics and kinematics [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Infrared Radiation in the Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review

“…Research in the field of musculoskeletal pain remains important as it can manifest as early as adolescence. For example, schoolchildren often experience musculoskeletal pain due to the weight of their schoolbags [34,35].…”