Classroom Furniture Mismatch and Back Pain Among Adolescent School-Children in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Assiri, Ahmed A. Mahfouz, Nabil J. Awadalla, Ahmed Y. Abouelyazid, Medhat Shalaby, Ahmed Abogamal, Abdullah Alsabaani and Fatima Riaz
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Abdullah Assiri: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed A. Mahfouz: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Nabil J. Awadalla: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Y. Abouelyazid: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Medhat Shalaby: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Abogamal: Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University, Cairo 11651, Egypt
Abdullah Alsabaani: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Fatima Riaz: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-9

Abstract: Objective : To explore the potential classroom furniture mismatch with students’ anthropometric measurements and back pain related to sitting for extended periods. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on all twelve male and female intermediate and secondary schools located in Abha city. Anthropometric and classroom furniture measurements were assessed, and the mismatch was determined using standardized methods. Students were also screened for back pain related to long sitting at school. Results: A total number of 879 students was selected. The study revealed seat height mismatch in both intermediate, and secondary school of 84.3%, and 75.6%, respectively. Seat depth mismatch was 74.0% in intermediate schools and reached 84.5% in secondary schools. The desk height was improper for 94.1%, and 82.3% of students in intermediate, and secondary schools, respectively. The levels of mismatch differ significantly by grade level and gender. A prevalence of 10.8% of back pain related to long sitting at school was found. In multivariable logistic regression, males, intermediate school children, and the presence of buttock-popliteal length/seat depth mismatch were significantly associated with pain. On the other hand, practicing exercise was a significant protective factor. Conclusions: There is a prevalent mismatch between students’ dimensions and existing schools’ furniture. School furniture providers should take in consideration the average Saudi students’ dimensions, while designing school furniture especially for males, and at intermediate schools, or provide schools with adjustable seats and desks.

Keywords: back pain; school children; classroom furniture; mismatch; ergonomics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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