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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal

Volume  2, Issue 1, January - March 2009, Pages 5-11
 

Review Article

Backpack - Bad Pack an Iisue, Backpack Uusage and its Implications on Indian School Children, an Observational Study on the Impact of Backpack Between Rural and Urban School Children

Rageswarihariharan, A. Zechariah Jebakumar, Madhumathi K.

*Principal, **Associate Professor, ***Lecturer, Vels College of Physiotherapy, Pallavaram Chennai – 600 117, T.N.

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Abstract

Objective of the study:To observe the amount of weight carried by the Indian school children and also to identify the complications out of it. This study also focuses on to check whether there is any difference between the school children in the urban and rural area regarding the usage of backpack and its implications.Methodology: Total of 400 children (207 children from urban school and 193 from rural school) aged between 6 to 13 years from the class II to VIII were selected using stratified random sampling method. Self made questionnaires are filled, which had personal details, physical characteristics and mode of transport, carrying frequency and method of carrying. Results: The study shows that mean bag weight carried by the urban school children are 7.1 kg which is 17% of their body weight and rural school children are 3.2 kg which is 12% of their body weight. Among the urban school children ( n= 201) 62.3% of them are having pain due to backpack out of that 42.55% are having shoulder pain and 19.8 % have back pain. In comparison with rural school children it is only 17% of which 11.4% with shoulder pain and 6.2% with back pain.Conclusion: The backpack had its impact on the Indian school children, especially the urban school children are affected more when compared with the rural school children, it is mainly because of the syllabus pattern, and extra load in the from of lunch where the rural school children are provided with mid day meal. In addition to the extra load the urban school children have extra curricular activities. It is high time to make a safety guideline to avoid any complication out of backpack.


Corresponding Author : Rageswari hariharan