A Study to Determine Prevalence of Back Pain and its Association with Backpack Weight among 12 to 16 Year Old Children in Dharwad City

INTRDUCTION Back pain is defined as the pain that resulted in the child missing schools, abstaining from after school physical activities, or visiting doctor. Musculoskeletal problems associated with backpack use have become an increasing concern with school children. There are also few reports of other problems associated with backpack i. e. functional scoliosis, rucksack palsy and reduced lung functions. The load carrying in the form of heavy bags may manipulate the normal growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross sectional study conducted in Schools in Dharwad city, using self generated Questionnaire, 640 children participated in the study. RESULTS 43.13 % children experienced back pain. Most of the children had pain in lower back region (16.72 %), then upper back (16.88 %) and neck (0.16 %) being lowest. The presence or absence of pain was not significantly different across boys and girls.327 (51.09 %) children in our study, were underweight 327 (51.09 %) and more pain was reported by them 164 (50.15 %). CONCLUSION There was association between heavy back pack carriage and back pain. There was weak but positive correlation seen between percentages of bag weight being carried in respect to body weight.