ABSTRACT
Background:Text-neck syndrome (TNS), a repetitive stress injury experienced when the neck assumes a forward-flexed position for a prolonged period, is a leading cause of disability among smartphone users. However, factors associated with TNS among smartphone users are poorly understood. This aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TNS and its association with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) among undergraduate smartphone users of the University of Benin.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 402 undergraduate students of the University of Benin. A pro-forma was used to document sociodemographic and anthropometric data of participants. As indices of TNS, respondents completed the Visual Analogue Scale and Neck Disability Index. Other instruments used included the International Physical Assessment and International Sedentary Activity Questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the level of significance set at P<0.05.
Results: The mean age and percentage of normal body mass index (BMI) of participants (55% males) were 21.46±2.54 years, and 67.2%, respectively. A total of 342 (85.2%) respondents reported that they had neck pain, while 283 (70.3%) self-reported neck disabilities. Neck pain was significantly associated with frequent posture assumed while using smartphone and PA (P<0.05). Further, neck disability was significantly associated with frequent posture assumed while using smartphone, PA and SB (P<0.05). No associations were found between neck pain and SB (P>0.05). Neck posture (OR=0.12, 95% CI = 0.03-0.46) and moderate PA (OR=2.59, 95% CI = 1.11-6.04) predicted neck pain while gender (OR= 0.49, 95% CI = 0.30-0.80), moderate PA (OR=1.97, 95% CI = 1.05-3.70), neck posture (OR= 0.21, 95% CI = 0.06-0.80) and SB (OR=1.15, 95% CI = 1.06-1.24) predicted neck disability.
Conclusion:Text-neck syndrome is highly prevalent among undergraduate smartphone users in the University of Benin with substantial associations with neck posture and PA.
Key words:Text-neck syndrome, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, undergraduate smart phone users.
