Backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescents
Study on the relationship between backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescents
From: Nursing & Health Sciences Volume 8 Issue 4 Page 208-215, December 2006
Descriptive correlation study was conducted in Hobbs, New Mexico, USA, to find the relationship between backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescent boys and girls. A higher percentage of girls than boys rated their pain as being moderate to extremely strong. The correlation between pain and backpack weight per body mass index among girls was positive and significant, but negative and non significant among boys. The correlation between pain and backpack weight was positive and non-significant among both boys and girls. The correlation between pain and each of the variables of backpack weight per body weight, backpack weight per height, and backpack weight per body surface area was negative and non-significant among boys, but positive and non-significant among girls. Gender based research studies with additional variables, safe backpacks and education in schools regarding backpack use are recommended.
