Burden of neck pain and associated factors among smart phone user students in University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Mobile technology has spread rapidly around the globe. In 2018 the numbers of mobile subscribers in Ethiopia hit 66.2 million. Musculoskeletal complaints related to smartphone use in different body parts have been reported ranging from 8.2% to 89.9%. Neck pain has the highest prevalence rate, which ranges from 17.3% to 67.8%. However, there is limited evidence on the burden of neck pain related to Smartphone usage and no research is done in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the burden of neck pain and factors associated with smartphone use in Ethiopia. Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with neck pain among smartphone users at University of Gondar. Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2019 to determine the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain, with a sample of 845 university student smartphone users at University of Gondar, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data. Independent variables which had a significant association were identified using logistic regression models. Results were reported by using texts and frequency distribution tables. Results Out of 845 questionnaires distributed, 808 students responded; hence, the response rate was 95.6%. The overall prevalence of neck pain among smart phone users in the past 12 months was 47.4% (95% CI, 44.1–50.9%). Attending 5th year (AOR: 3.907, 95% CI: 1. 952–7.82) and 6th year (AOR: 2.93,95% CI: 1,304–6.59), regular physical exercise (AOR: 2.405, 95% CI: 1.549–3.734), cigarette smoking (AOR: 5.415, 95% CI: 2.685–10.919), residency (AOR: 1.681, 95% CI: 1.181–2.391), break while using smartphone (AOR: 3.253 95% CI: 2.252–4.699), used smartphone > 6 hour per day (AOR: 2.782 (1.528 95% CI: 1.528–5.063), used other devises (AOR: 3.158 95% CI: 2.128–4.689), number of social media used daily (AOR: 2.007 95% CI: 1.228–3.2788), used devise for playing game (AOR: 1.484 95% CI: 1.024–2.15) were factors significantly associated with neck pain. Conclusion The current study depicted that nearly half of the study participants reported neck pain in the past 12 months. Attending last year of university, personal characteristics, use of smart phone for longer period, playing game, not taking break, other electronic device use, increased number of social media use were associated with neck pain among smartphone users.

Sex differences in factors associated with neck pain among undergraduate healthcare students: a cross-sectional survey

“…Contrary to the hypothesis, our results showed that physical activity was not associated with neck pain in each sex. The results of this study are thus discordant with those of prior studies reporting that healthcare students with regular physical activity have a reduced occurrence of neck pain compared with those who were physical inactive [ 5 , 16 , 17 ]. A possible explanation for this discrepancy might be that we collected data during the pandemic, and the various restrictions may have dissuaded students from engaging in the recommended levels of physical activity.…”

“…The association between time spent on electronic devices and neck pain is debatable [ 12 , 34 ]. According to a prior study, medical students with smartphone usage >6 h/day were 2.782 times more likely to report neck pain [ 17 ]. Among our participants, females tended to show greater use of smartphones, while males spent more time on computers than females.…”

“…The following behaviors were assessed: smoking status (never, ex-smoker, or current smoker), computer usage (<2 h/day, or ≥ 2 h/day), smartphone usage (<6 h/day, or ≥ 6 h/day), self-study time (<6 h/day, or ≥ 6 h/day), sitting habitual neck posture (upright, slightly flexed 10-20 degrees, or sharply flexed >20 degrees; with a reference picture about sagittal neck posture), static duration posture (<1 h, 1-2 h, or >2 h), and leisure time physical activity (occasionally; regularly, 1-2 times/week, or regularly, ≥3 times/week; 1 time means continuous physical activity for at least 30 min per week, and feeling warm or sweaty) [ 10 , 15 – 17 , 30 ].…”

“…However, studies of potential risk factors for neck pain are generally inconsistent, and evidence that can support the development of management strategies is limited [ 8 , 12 ]. For example, some studies of healthcare students found that being female, an older age, and a higher BMI were not associated with neck pain [ 13 – 17 ]. Similarly, the findings regarding psychological factors associated with neck pain in healthcare students are mixed and thus inconclusive.…”

Enfermedades musculoesqueléticas en cuello, mano/muñeca y factores asociados en estudiantes de medicina usuarios de teléfonos celulares

“…Lee et al (2015) encontraron que los participantes mantenían una flexión de la cabeza de 33° a 45° al usar teléfono inteligente, siendo significativo para el envío de mensajes de texto y con mayor significación mientras está sentado que de pie, sugiriendo que la mensajería de texto, que es una de las categorías de aplicaciones de teléfonos inteligentes más utilizadas, podría ser un factor principal que contribuya a la aparición de dolor de cuello en los usuarios habituales de teléfonos inteligentes. Ayhualem et al (2021), mostraron que el uso de teléfono por período largo, jugar juegos, no tomar descanso, uso de otros dispositivos electrónicos, y el aumento en el uso de las redes sociales, se asocia con el dolor de cuello entre los usuarios de teléfonos inteligentes.…”