Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorder among Preparatory School Children in Egypt

Abstract

Background and Objective: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, detect spinal deformities, and identify the prevalence of poor posture and the main risk factors among school children in the Sharqiyah government. Material and Methods: Three hundred seven preparatory-grades students participated in this study. Their age ranged from 11 to 15 years. Musculoskeletal symptoms were investigated using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) via direct interviewing. Child and bag weight was assessed using a digital scale, and a scoliometer was used to evaluate the lateral curvature of the thoracic region. Results: There were a higher prevalence of neck, shoulder, upper, and lower back pain amongst the students of the three grades, with a significant association between BMI, gender, and exercises as risk factor for developing a musculoskeletal disorder. There was no significant spinal deviation except for students in preparatory I. Conclusion: musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among preparatory school students, which could be a permanent problem in adulthood if not managed appropriately. Preventive measures should be considered to minimize musculoskeletal problems among childre