ABSTRACT

Objective : The purposes of this study are to determine the percentage of body weight represented by backpacks, backpack’s weight and types, and experience of pain caused heavy backpack in elementary school students in Korea.Methods : This research was conducted with 513 elementary students in one elementary school in Wonju. When elementary students came to school, student weights, their backpack weights, backpack types, and back-pain were measured by trained research assistants. Student weights and their backpack weights were measured by weighing beams. Weight of students were used by the school-data. The other information got to interview to children. Data management and analysis were performed using SPSS 12.0 version software.Results : The percentage of students were 225 girl students(43.86%) and 288 boy students(56.14%). 388 students(75.38%) used with cabinet. 125 students(24.37%) didn’t use or were not usually cabinet. 226 students (51.85%) experienced back-pain caused heavy backpacks, otherwise 287 students(55.95%) didn’t have that experience. 478 students(93.18%) used over both shoulder backpack. 11 students(2.14%) used over one shoulder backpack, 23 students(4.48%) used only hand backpack type. Just one student used with wheeled backpack. The mean backpack weights was 3.91kg. That increased significantly with increasing grade level.Conclusion : We recognized that most elementary school students carried heavy backpack but it was not significant difference in backpain. Heavy weight backpack could cause to musculoskeletal system disease. So, we need to using prevalent methods that were education, an ergonomical approach, parent or society concern.