[Surveying ergonomic factors of backpack in Tehranian primary school children]

ABSTRACT

Children are in their developing years and their bones and physical structure has not yet fully developed to a point of resiliency that can withstand stress, pressure, and a modicum of physical abuse and about 90% of students are carrying backpacks. Unsuitable backpacks cause shoulder pain, back pain, low back pain and skeletal malformation. Carrying backpacks heavier than 10% of body weight is not recommended. Thus, the objective of this study was to survey adaption between student backpacks and their anthropometric dimension. In this descriptive- analytical study, 50 primary school children [10 females and 40 males] cooperated in anthropometric measurement and its comparison with their backpack dimension. 212 female school children were contributed in comparison between their backpack weight and 10% body weight. Body dimensions were measured with VICON Analyze motion system [460V, oxford, UK] and ergonomics factors for their backpacks were recorded by a checklist. Weight measured with a digital scale and BMI was calculated based on WHO software. Significant difference was shown between shoulder breath-backpack width up, waist breath - backpack width down, shoulder width-shoulder strap width and back height-backpack height. 8% backpack handles, 44%shoulder straps and 34% backpack behinds had good padding. Two percent of backpacks had waist strap and no backpacks had chest strap. 8% of shoulder straps were S shaped and 4% of backpacks were rolling. Just 28.3% backpack weights have been under 10% of body weight. Ergonomics knowledge regarding backpacks is very important for selecting and buying the right product. However, the backpack producers should also be' informed to produce ergonomics backpack. The reduction of extra items in children backpacks by parents is beneficial, but effective management programs by ministry of education is also needed for informing school administrative persons and school children about the health problem of carring un ergonomic backpacks