title: Study on the relationship between backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescents.
abstract: A 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 and safe backpack use education in schools are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Hobbs School District, Hobbs, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Neelima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Navuluri
authors.forename: Ramesh B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Navuluri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016474:Weight-Bearing