Objectives:
to identify the factors associated with musculo-skeletal pain (MSP) in schoolchildren in municipal public schools in the city of Rio Grande, in the far south of Brazil, between June and December 2010.
Methods:
a sectional study was carried out with a random sample of 625 schoolchildren aged between six and eighteen years of age. MSP was investigated using the Nordic Osteomuscular Symptoms Questionnaire (NOSQ) and information relating to demographic and biological factors, the means of transport of school materials and lifestyle, obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The raw and adjusted prevalence rations for association between MSP and the factors under study were estimated using a Poisson regression model.
Results:
the prevalence of MSP was 37.6%. Being aged between 11 and 18 years (PR=1.70; CI95%=1.36-2.11; p<0.001), being female (PR=1.47; CI95%=1.19-1.81; p<0.001) and a family history of back pain (PR=0.78; CI95%=0.64-0.96; p=0.020) were associated with the outcome. Not practicing competitive sports was a protective factor (PR=0.65; CI95%=0.51-0.81; p<0.001).
Conclusions:
these results confirm the negative influence of various factors present in the school environment on the health of students. It is considered an important measure to introduce health promotion programs in schools to encourage students to adopt healthy practices that minimize the deleterious effects of MSP.
School health; Health promotion; Musculoskeletal pain