ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2018
Musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among Ethiopian elementary school children.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 31 citations in OpenAlex.
- Prevalence of Self-Reported Work-Related Lower Back Pain and Its Associated Factors in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of environmental and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization as a promising approach for children with chronic neck pain: A single-blind, randomized study.Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation · 2026Trial
- Factors associated with juvenile musculoskeletal dysfunction in children.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- Trauma and physical pain: an urban-rural comparison of sexually abused girls in Burundi.European journal of psychotraumatology · 2025Article
- Exploring the relationship between schoolbag weight and back pain in primary school children.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Observational
- Article
- Analysis of over 1 million race records shows runners from East African countries as the fastest in 50-km ultra-marathons.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Low Occurrence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Swimming? Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Sports Participation in Adolescents: Cross Sectional Study (ABCD-Growth Study).International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorders among University Teaching Staff in Ethiopia, 2021: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.Pain research & management · 2022Article
- Development and validation of the tool for the evaluation of the behavioral factors affecting the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian students.BMC pediatrics · 2020Article
- Flatfoot and associated factors among Ethiopian school children aged 11 to 15 years: A school-based study.PloS one · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEthiopian school children often carry school supplies in heavy school bags and encounter limited school facilities. This stresses their vulnerable musculoskeletal system and may result in experiencing musculoskeletal pain. High prevalence of musculoskeletal pain has been documented, but data on musculoskeletal pain among elementary school children in Ethiopia is lacking. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among elementary school children in Gondar, Ethiopia.
methodsCross-sectional study was conducted among children from six randomly selected elementary schools. Sample size was determined proportionally across school grades and governmental and private schools to ensure variety within the sample. Data collection consisted of physical measurements including height, weight and schoolbag weight, and a structured questionnaire on musculoskeletal pain, mode of transport, walking time and school facilities. Data were analysed descriptively and through uni- and multivariate logistic regression model.
resultsIn total 723 children participated. The overall prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain was 62%, with a significant difference between school types (governmental 68% versus private 51%). Shoulder, neck and lower leg/knee were most commonly reported. Walking to and from school for ≥20 min (OR = 2.94, 95% CI 2.05 to 4.21) and relative school bag weight (OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.47) were found significantly associated with self-report musculoskeletal pain. Children with carrying heavy school supplies and also walking long duration have a 3.5 (95% CI = 1.80-6.95) times greater chance of reporting pain as compared to those who carry lesser weighed bags and reported shorter walking duration at the same time.
conclusionsPrevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain was high among children attending public schools and also those who walked a long way to and from school. Long walking duration and relative school bag weight were significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain. These findings can inform policymakers to provide transportation services and other facilities at elementary schools. The findings of this study should be interpreted with caution due to possible social desirability bias with higher prevalence of self-reported pain and more so in children population.
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