The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study
Lloyd Long Yu Chan, Arnold Yu Lok Wong (Corresponding Author), Maggie Haitian Wang, Kin Cheung, Dino Samartzis
Background: Neck pain is a pervasive ailment causing work absenteeism, disabilities, and sleep disturbance among working adults. While the onset of neck pain in many individuals may date back to college-age, little is known regarding the prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduates. The current study aimed to compare the prevalence of neck pain among students in different undergraduate programs and to investigate their risk factors. Methods: Undergraduates from two universities were invited to participate in a self-administered online survey. The survey collected data regarding demographics, previous and the current neck pain symptoms, and potential risk factors (e.g., gender, age, body mass index, study programs, electronic devices usage, study hours, sports participation, and anxiety and depression levels, etc.). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to identify risk factors for neck pain. Results: A total of 5,195 invitation emails were sent. Of 1,002 respondents, 22.3% reported having current neck pain. Physiotherapy (26.5%) and nursing students (26.1%) had significantly higher prevalence of neck pain as compared to business students (13.2%). Anxiety (odds ratio (OR):1.11, 95%CI:1.07–1.16), concurrent low back pain (OR:3.28, 95%CI:2.15–5.00) and senior years of studies (OR:1.19,95%CI:1.01–1.41) were significantly associated with the presence of neck pain. Taller students (OR:1.02,95%CI:0.99–1.05) and prolonged smartphone usage (OR:1.05,95%CI:0.99–1.12) appeared to be associated with the presence of neck pain. Conclusion: This study not only revealed the high prevalence of neck pain among undergraduates but also identified several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for neck pain in this population. Specific prevention strategies should be developed and implemented to reduce the risk of neck pain in vulnerable students.
Chan, L. L. Y., Wong, A. Y. L., Wang, M. H., Cheung, K., & Samartzis, D. (2020). The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 76, [102934]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102934
Chan, Lloyd Long Yu ; Wong, Arnold Yu Lok ; Wang, Maggie Haitian ; Cheung, Kin ; Samartzis, Dino. / The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students : A large-scale cross-sectional study. In: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 2020 ; Vol. 76.
@article{1893f6c648b34cd1b182d1f085ae451d,
title = "The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study",
abstract = "Background: Neck pain is a pervasive ailment causing work absenteeism, disabilities, and sleep disturbance among working adults. While the onset of neck pain in many individuals may date back to college-age, little is known regarding the prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduates. The current study aimed to compare the prevalence of neck pain among students in different undergraduate programs and to investigate their risk factors. Methods: Undergraduates from two universities were invited to participate in a self-administered online survey. The survey collected data regarding demographics, previous and the current neck pain symptoms, and potential risk factors (e.g., gender, age, body mass index, study programs, electronic devices usage, study hours, sports participation, and anxiety and depression levels, etc.). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to identify risk factors for neck pain. Results: A total of 5,195 invitation emails were sent. Of 1,002 respondents, 22.3% reported having current neck pain. Physiotherapy (26.5%) and nursing students (26.1%) had significantly higher prevalence of neck pain as compared to business students (13.2%). Anxiety (odds ratio (OR):1.11, 95%CI:1.07–1.16), concurrent low back pain (OR:3.28, 95%CI:2.15–5.00) and senior years of studies (OR:1.19,95%CI:1.01–1.41) were significantly associated with the presence of neck pain. Taller students (OR:1.02,95%CI:0.99–1.05) and prolonged smartphone usage (OR:1.05,95%CI:0.99–1.12) appeared to be associated with the presence of neck pain. Conclusion: This study not only revealed the high prevalence of neck pain among undergraduates but also identified several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for neck pain in this population. Specific prevention strategies should be developed and implemented to reduce the risk of neck pain in vulnerable students.",
keywords = "Anxiety, Body height, Low back pain, Neck pain, Prevalence, Risk factors, Smartphone, Students, University students",
author = "Chan, {Lloyd Long Yu} and Wong, {Arnold Yu Lok} and Wang, {Maggie Haitian} and Kin Cheung and Dino Samartzis",
Chan, LLY, Wong, AYL, Wang, MH, Cheung, K & Samartzis, D 2020, 'The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study', International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 76, 102934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102934
The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students : A large-scale cross-sectional study. / Chan, Lloyd Long Yu; Wong, Arnold Yu Lok (Corresponding Author); Wang, Maggie Haitian; Cheung, Kin; Samartzis, Dino.
T1 - The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students
AU - Chan, Lloyd Long Yu
N2 - Background: Neck pain is a pervasive ailment causing work absenteeism, disabilities, and sleep disturbance among working adults. While the onset of neck pain in many individuals may date back to college-age, little is known regarding the prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduates. The current study aimed to compare the prevalence of neck pain among students in different undergraduate programs and to investigate their risk factors. Methods: Undergraduates from two universities were invited to participate in a self-administered online survey. The survey collected data regarding demographics, previous and the current neck pain symptoms, and potential risk factors (e.g., gender, age, body mass index, study programs, electronic devices usage, study hours, sports participation, and anxiety and depression levels, etc.). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to identify risk factors for neck pain. Results: A total of 5,195 invitation emails were sent. Of 1,002 respondents, 22.3% reported having current neck pain. Physiotherapy (26.5%) and nursing students (26.1%) had significantly higher prevalence of neck pain as compared to business students (13.2%). Anxiety (odds ratio (OR):1.11, 95%CI:1.07–1.16), concurrent low back pain (OR:3.28, 95%CI:2.15–5.00) and senior years of studies (OR:1.19,95%CI:1.01–1.41) were significantly associated with the presence of neck pain. Taller students (OR:1.02,95%CI:0.99–1.05) and prolonged smartphone usage (OR:1.05,95%CI:0.99–1.12) appeared to be associated with the presence of neck pain. Conclusion: This study not only revealed the high prevalence of neck pain among undergraduates but also identified several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for neck pain in this population. Specific prevention strategies should be developed and implemented to reduce the risk of neck pain in vulnerable students.
AB - Background: Neck pain is a pervasive ailment causing work absenteeism, disabilities, and sleep disturbance among working adults. While the onset of neck pain in many individuals may date back to college-age, little is known regarding the prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduates. The current study aimed to compare the prevalence of neck pain among students in different undergraduate programs and to investigate their risk factors. Methods: Undergraduates from two universities were invited to participate in a self-administered online survey. The survey collected data regarding demographics, previous and the current neck pain symptoms, and potential risk factors (e.g., gender, age, body mass index, study programs, electronic devices usage, study hours, sports participation, and anxiety and depression levels, etc.). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to identify risk factors for neck pain. Results: A total of 5,195 invitation emails were sent. Of 1,002 respondents, 22.3% reported having current neck pain. Physiotherapy (26.5%) and nursing students (26.1%) had significantly higher prevalence of neck pain as compared to business students (13.2%). Anxiety (odds ratio (OR):1.11, 95%CI:1.07–1.16), concurrent low back pain (OR:3.28, 95%CI:2.15–5.00) and senior years of studies (OR:1.19,95%CI:1.01–1.41) were significantly associated with the presence of neck pain. Taller students (OR:1.02,95%CI:0.99–1.05) and prolonged smartphone usage (OR:1.05,95%CI:0.99–1.12) appeared to be associated with the presence of neck pain. Conclusion: This study not only revealed the high prevalence of neck pain among undergraduates but also identified several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for neck pain in this population. Specific prevention strategies should be developed and implemented to reduce the risk of neck pain in vulnerable students.
Chan LLY, Wong AYL, Wang MH, Cheung K, Samartzis D. The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 2020 Mar;76. 102934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102934