title: A Study of School Bag Weight and Back Pain among Primary School Children in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommended weight of schoolbags is less than 10-15% of the body weight. Heavy schoolbags may result in musculoskeletal and psychological problems among primary school children. This study was conducted to assess the weight of school bags in relation to primary school children weight, and to look for the prevalence of back pain among them in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2567 school children were included in this study both from rural and urban areas of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional survey was conducted in which a pre-tested questionnaire was used to ask about demographic profile, and symptoms of back pain. The weight of the school bags and the school children was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1860 school children (72.46%) out of 2567 were carrying bags of weight more than 15% of their body weight. The prevalence of heavy school bags was higher among the female children as compared with the male children. Back pain was reported by 42% of the school children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The weight of schoolbags of Al-Ahsa primary school children were higher than the internationally acceptable standards and as a result back pain was reported by 42% of school children. The school authorities and ministry of health should further evaluate and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation.
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Saleem Ali
authors: SA
authors: Al-Saleem
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ayub
authors: A
authors: Ali
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Sayed Ibrahim
authors: SI
authors: Ali
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Abdulaziz Anazi
authors: AA
authors: Alshamrani
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ammar Mohammed
authors: AM
authors: Almulhem
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Muataz Hasan
authors: MH
authors: Al-Hashem
keywords: Back pain; School bags; School children