Frequency of Neck Pain and Associated Disability in Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly neck pain, have been increasingly documented among medical students due to their rigorous academic and clinical training demands. The impact of neck pain can lead to significant disability, affecting academic performance and quality of life. Prior studies have demonstrated varying prevalence across different geographies, indicating a need for further localized research. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of neck pain and its associated disability using the neck disability index among students of Akhtar Saeed Medical College and to compare these findings with global data. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed, involving 150 students from various medical programs. Data collection was conducted via a structured questionnaire including the Neck Pain Disability Index and the Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity. Ethical approval was obtained in line with the Helsinki Declaration. The sample size was determined statistically, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Statistical tests including independent t-tests and Chi-square tests were utilized to discern the significance of associations, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Participants had an average age of 22.74±2.04 years, with a gender distribution of 58.7% female and 41.3% male. The mean score for neck pain disability was higher in females (21.33±6.45) compared to males (20.76±5.11), albeit non-significantly (p=0.562). The prevalence of neck pain in our sample (58.7%) was higher than in similar cohorts from Brazil (8.23%), Thailand (22.3%), and China (33.8%), yet comparable to Pakistan (44.8%), Australia (52.8%), and Central Saudi Arabia (54%). Approximately 22.7% of students reported neck pain that interfered with their normal activities. Conclusion: Neck pain was found to be prevalent among the medical student population, with a higher incidence in females. The study underscores the association between neck pain and disability, suggesting the need for preventive measures and interventions within the medical academic setting.