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Akodu A.K.1, Akinbo S.R.A.1, Olusetire O.G.1
1University of Lagos, Physiotherapy, Lagos, Nigeria
Background: Schoolbags which includes backpacks and messenger bags are commonly used by students of all ages with a large percentage of school children carrying school bags worldwide. There is a growing concern that overloaded children's and adolescent's backpack and messenger bag may lead to the development of musculoskeletal injuries. There is high prevalence of postural deviations with forward head posture and protracted shoulder being the two most common deformities resulting from frequent carrying of heavy backpacks by children and adolescents.
Purpose: This study was therefore designed to compare the effect of backpack and messenger bag on the Craniovertebral angle of secondary school students in selected local government's areas in Lagos State.
Methods: Two hundred (110(55%) females and 90(45%) males) secondary students participated in this study. They were within the age range of 10-18 years. Participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups using computer generated number sequence. Group 1 consisted of those that carried the backpack while group 2 consisted of those that carried the messenger bag. The Craniovertebral angle was obtained and was recorded photographically under several load-carrying conditions. The Craniovertebral angle was measured using the Corel draw X7 software with version number 17.0.0.491. The Craniovertebral angle was calculated and compared between the two groups. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS version 22. Inferential statistics of paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the two types of bags on the Craniovertebral angle. The level of significance was set at p 0.05.
Results: It was noted that when either the backpack or messenger bag was carried, the Craniovertebral angle showed no statistically significant difference (p= 0.336). There was statistically significant difference (p=0.000) in the Craniovertebral angle when the backpack or the messenger bag was carried with 15% of their bodys weight for both type of bags. There was also statistically significant difference (p=0.000) in Craniovertebral angle when the backpack or the messenger bag was carried and the participants were placed on a form of brisk walking for 5minutes with the backpack/ messenger bag and the additional 15% weight.
Conclusion(s): This study concluded that both the backpack and the messenger bag caused a significant change in the CVA of the participants when carried. No matter the type of school bags carried by students, heavy bags predispose them to lots of musculoskeletal deformities and conditions. Carrying schoolbags weighing ≥ 15% of body weight appeared to be too heavy to maintain normal standing posture for school students.
Implications: Physiotherapists should educate parents, guardians and teachers on the exact or correct weight to be carried by their students and wards to school which should be less than 15% of their body weight to prevent musculoskeletal discomfort.
Funding acknowledgements: This study did not receive any funding grants.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Ethics approval: Approved by health research and ethics committee of Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria ( Approval Number: ADM/DCST/HREC/APP/765)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
