Risk factors of neck pain among the undergraduate students in Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI)

Abstract

Introduction: Neck pain is regarded as a chronic episodic condition characterized by persistent, recurrent, or fluctuating pain and disability. Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out the risk factors of neck pain, socio-demographic information, association between neck pain and students, behavior, lifestyle, physical factors, educational factors, characteristics of neck pain and to perceive neck pain disability index. Methodology: This observational case-control study was conducted with 112 participants at BHPI from April 30 to June 30, 2024. Cases had neck pain lasting at least one month, while controls reported no neck pain with in the last 1 year; pathological neck pain was excluded. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic, lifestyle, and educational factors. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) assessed contributing factors. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square test and odds ratio) were used, with a significance threshold of p < .05. Results: Among 112 participants 56 were in the case group and 56 were in the control group. Mean± SD of overall age was 21.79±1.574 and BMI was 22.72 ± 2.801. Among them prevalence of neck pain in male was (10.75%) and in female was (89.3%). Association found between neck pain with Gender(OR-5.000) Neck pain while or after carrying heavy backpack or bag(OR-5.513), Education, Maintained posture during work(OR-4.600), leisure and studying, Disturbed sleep(OR-4.600), Neck pain from less sleep(OR-3.720), General health condition, Using phone in an uncomfortable position(OR-6.067), Consuming processed foods, Hours of studying or doing homework per day, ergonomics of study environment, Feeling neck pain before the night of exams(OR-15.667), during excessive stress(OR-5.704) and after exams (OR-13.056), Appropriate academic exam setting, study habits or educational environment, Posture whiles studying or using a computer, Hours per day spending on Electronic devices (computer, smartphone, tablet), Using any ergonomic aids while studying, posture during studying were related to neck pain Conclusion: Many factors were causing neck pain but among them exam stress, poor posture and sleep disturbance causes neck pain in most of them. Keywords: Risk Factor, Neck pain, Disability