ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026
Prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain among university students in Saudi Arabia: an analytical cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundMusculoskeletal pain is common among university students and may be influenced by prolonged sitting, digital-device use, suboptimal ergonomic practices, and low physical activity. However, evidence from Saudi university settings remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the 12-month prevalence and anatomical distribution of musculoskeletal pain among university students at Al-Baha University and to examine its associations with ergonomic behaviours and physical activity levels.
methodsThis analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among university students aged ≥ 18 years at Al-Baha University. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires capturing demographics, 12-month musculoskeletal pain and affected body regions assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and ergonomic practices. Participants reported physical-activity summaries from their smartphone health applications (Google Fit and Apple Health). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyse the data and identify factors independently associated with musculoskeletal pain. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and model discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
resultsAmong 675 students, the mean age was 22.26 ± 3.36 years; most participants were male (74.4%) and enrolled in health-sciences programs (85.2%). Overall, 85.0% reported musculoskeletal pain in the previous 12 months. The neck (47.6%), lower back (46.8%), and shoulders (34.2%) were the most affected regions. In multivariable analysis, internship-level students had higher odds of pain (OR = 15.05, 95% CI: 2.91-77.78, p = 0.001), and sitting 6-8 h/day was associated with higher odds of pain (OR = 13.95, 95% CI: 4.13-47.19, p < 0.001). Low daily physical activity time (< 15 min/day) was also associated with higher odds of pain (OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 2.14-15.16, p < 0.001). The model showed acceptable discrimination (AUC = 0.793, 95% CI: 0.742-0.843, p < 0.001), although specificity and calibration were limited.
conclusionsMusculoskeletal pain was common among university students at Al-Baha University, particularly in the neck, lower back, and shoulders. The findings suggest that prolonged sitting and selected physical-activity indicators are important associated factors. These findings may inform campus-based strategies promoting regular movement breaks, ergonomic study practices, and physical activity.
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