Backpack use and associated problems among primary school children in Nigeria: a call to action by stakeholders

Abstract

Background: Carrying backpacks is believed to contribute to the musculoskeletal problems in school children. Studies on the use of backpacks by Nigerian school children are scanty.
Objectives: To evaluate the use of backpack and associated problems among primary school children.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 813 children in six primary schools in Ado-Ekiti. Information about backpack use and associated problems were obtained.
Results: 788 (96.9%) children carried backpacks daily. The backpacks were all double strapped and 85% pupils wore them on both shoulders. The backpacks of 64.1% of the pupils contained educational materials. In 79.1% of cases, the backpacks exceeded 10% of their body weights. Pain and loss of sporting time were associated with carrying backpacks in 23.2% and 8.2% respectively, 15.3% took analgesic and 5.5% had medical consultations because of backpack injuries. No pupil missed school and none was hospitalised for backpack injury. Complaint of pain was significantly associated with older subjects, carrying heavier backpack and longer period of carrying packs (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Backpack use and associated health problems are common among school children in the study area. Health workers should enquire about backpack use in children presenting with back and shoulder pain. We recommend more studies on backpack use. Also, Government and other stakeholders should draw up guidelines regarding the use of backpacks in Nigeria as practiced in other countries. Professional bodies including the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), and other stakeholders should be involved in formulating such guidelines.

Keywords: Backpacks, School children, Pain, Dysfunction, Nigeria