Factors influencing parental awareness of musculoskeletal disorders in relation to heavy backpacks carried by primary school children in Seri Kembangan, Selangor

Mohd Shurkri, Muhamad Zarif (2023) Factors influencing parental awareness of musculoskeletal disorders in relation to heavy backpacks carried by primary school children in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text 203809 MUHAMAD ZARIF lpFPSK4 2023 49.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

Introduction: Most school children use a backpack which weighing more than 10% of their body weight. Children who carry excessive burdens in their schoolbags on a regular basis may develop musculoskeletal disorders such as lower and upper back discomfort, shoulder pain, and neck pain which is linked to discomfort and impairment in children. It is essential for parents to be aware of this issue to prevent worst health problems in their children. Objective: The main objective of this study is to assess the awareness level of the parents about heavy backpack effects to their children health. Methodology : This was a cross sectional study, involving 119 pairs of parents and their children aged between 8 to 11 years old in SK Seri Serdang, Seri Kembangan, Selangor. The school and the respondents were purposively selected The data was collected from 1st until 31 October. The parents were given a set of questionnaires (α= 0.7) consist of five sections namely socio demographic information, knowledge on school backpack, knowledge on health effect, recommendation, and anthropometric measurement. Results and Discussion: This study consists of 57 (47.9%) male and 62(52.1%) female respondents who are the parents of the children in SK Seri Serdang. Most of the respondent (68.1%) have diploma and lower educational level. The awareness of the parents on the health effect of heavy backpack among their children showed that 42% have high, 26% moderate, and 32% low level on the health effect of heavy backpack among their children. The anthropometric data of the children showed mean ± SD of weight =34.32 ± 9.25 kg, height =140.13 ± 6.38 cm and body mass index =18.31 ± 4.57 kg/m2. The mean ± SD of school backpack weight =4.60 ± 1.03 kg. A total of 40.3% of the children carry backpack which exceeded the recommended weight. This study found that educational level (χ2 = 6.71, p = 0.035) of the parents is significantly associated with the parent’s awareness level. Conclusion: Less than half of the parents are highly aware on the health effect of heavy backpack on their children. Parents with higher educational level showed higher awareness level as compared with those with lower educational level. Hence, awareness campaign on the health effect of heavy backpack among school children shall be done among the parent’s association. Keyword: awareness, socio demographic, BMI , heavy backpack, school children

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	13 Jun 2024 07:33
Last Modified:	13 Jun 2024 07:33
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1862

Actions (login required)

View Item