Prevalence of Heavy Backpack Use Among Primary School Pupils in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Heavy backpacks may be associated with neck and back pain.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of heavy backpack use and its perceived effects among selected primary school pupils in Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional design that employed a multistage sampling technique was adopted. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to 416 respondents. A standard weighing scale was used to measure pupils’ body weight and weight of the backpacks. The heaviness of backpack weight was determined by calculating backpack weight as a percentage of body weight and was categorised into <10, 10-15 and >15.

Results: The mean age, weight, backpack weight and the weight of backpack as a percentage of pupil’s body weight were 10.03±1.48years, 32.35±8.52kg, 4.18±2.34kg and 13.29±7.80%, respectively. The main perceived effects primarily associated with heavy backpack use, as reported by the pupils, were stooping (76.2%), neck pain (63.5%) and upper back pain (69.2%). Many (57.9%) of the schoolbags exceeded 10% of the pupil’s body weight, while about one-third (31.7%) had the weight of the backpack as a percentage of body weight greater than 15%. The prevalence of heavy backpack use was associated with perceived effects of heavy backpack use (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: The prevalence of heavy backpack use among school pupils is high in Ibadan. Guidelines regulating the use of heavy backpacks to protect school-aged children from potential adverse health are desired. Parents should also guide their children in arranging the contents of their bags.