PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF NECK PAIN AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KUANTAN, PAHANG DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic created a shift in academic learning. Majority university students are required to stay at home and continue their studies through online platform which predisposes to various musculoskeletal disorder. Among the various musculoskeletal disorder, neck pain is prominent and affect function, productivity and overall quality of life. Objective: To determine the prevalence of neck pain and its associated risk factors among university students in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: A cross sectional study with a total of 121 eligible university students in Kuantan, Pahang. Online self-administered questionnaire with section A; demographic data, section B; standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, section C; general risk factors and section D; ergonomic risk factors were administered. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: Overall neck pain prevalence among university students in Kuantan, Pahang during last 12-months is 58.7%. Prolonged sitting (p<0.001), uncomfortable posture (p<0.001), repetitive arm and hands movements (p<0.001), prolonged sustaining of same posture (p=0.001), neck bending or prolonged forward head position (p<0.01), elbow in 90 degrees angle when using laptop (p=0.035) are the associated risk factors of neck pain. Conclusion: University students in Kuantan, Pahang have high prevalence of neck pain during COVID-19 pandemic. Habitual and ergonomic risk factors significantly associated with neck pain.