Abstract:
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among adolescents are a growing
public health concern, particularly those arising from carrying heavy school bags.
Secondary-level students are at increased risk due to ongoing musculoskeletal
development, suboptimal posture, and prolonged exposure to biomechanical stress
from schoolbags. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between
school bag weight and musculoskeletal symptoms among secondary-level students in
Bangladesh. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among
280 students aged 13–17 years from two secondary schools. Data were collected using
a semi-structured questionnaire, objective body and bag weight measurements, and the
modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive and inferential
statistics, including Pearson Chi-square tests, were applied using SPSS 25. Results:
The mean body weight of participants was 51.94 kg, and the average bag weight was
4.31 kg. A significant proportion (67.5%) of students reported musculoskeletal pain,
predominantly in the shoulder (60.7%), neck (35.7%), and back (18%). The prevalence
of pain increased with bag weight; 78.2% of students with heavy bags experienced
discomfort, compared to 32.1% with lighter loads (p<0.001). Poor posture, prolonged
carrying duration, and asymmetrical carrying methods further exacerbated symptoms.
Discussion: The findings reveal a strong association between excessive school bag
weight (particularly 7–15% of body weight) and musculoskeletal symptoms. Although
many students used both shoulders for carrying, this did not eliminate pain risk,
highlighting the multifactorial nature of the issue. The study underscores the
importance of ergonomic education, bag weight regulation, and school infrastructure
improvements to prevent MSDs among students.
Keywords:
Schoolbags, Musculoskeletal symptoms, Adolescents, Ergonomics, Backpack weight,
Postural stress.
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
