Prevalence and Risk Factors of Neck and Shoulder Pain in Medical Students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Neck and shoulder pain are common complaint in the general population and medical staff. In this study we tried to identify neck and shoulder pain risk factors in a group of medical students. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytic study, 260 medical students who at least six months ago were entered the university were allocated they filled the modified form of Oswestry questionnaire that is related to head and neck pain and they are also aimed to identify the duration of computer use and weight of their bags. Results: 247 students were studied. 60.7% were female and 39.3% were male. Over all neck pain prevalence was 39.4 had neck pain and it caused mild disability. Risk factors for neck pain among students were their higher age, high BMI, carrying heavy bags and objects in daily routine, daily sleep hour’s and computer use were also important. Conclusion: Neck and shoulder pain have high prevalence in the medical students and all their risk factors are modifiable risk except age and we could eliminate neck and shoulder discomfort with changing life style change. but risk factors corresponding for neck pain in this study were all factors

Keywords: neck pain, shoulder pain, disability, risk factors, medical student