Students’ knowledge regarding cervical posture when using a smartphone

Abstract

Background: in today’s world, we are facing a society dependent on smartphones. The repeated movements and the bad posture alongside its excessive usage promote musculoskeletal malfunctions. Objective: evaluate the individual’s knowledge about the cervical posture when using the smartphone, understand if there is any association between posture and the discomfort felt within the users and, understand the self-awareness of the individuals regarding the posture they use. Methodology: analytical study conceived among 318 students, and it was applied a questionnaire to characterize. A significance level of 0.05 was used. Results: 52 individuals had knowledge about the best cervical posture to adopt, and they indeed adopt it. There was an association of having knowledge and adopting good cervical posture with having less discomfort. This prior association was statistically significant when adjusted for age, BMI and schooling. The students who knew the correct posture, having the first smartphone between the ages of 8 and 10 was a risk factor (OR=3.77), and using the smartphone less than 3 hours was a protective factor (OR=0.44). Conclusion: the individuals with the knowledge about good posture and who indeed adopt it while using their phones, revealed a tendency to have less discomfort.

Keywords

• NECK PAIN
• INFORMATION
• SELF PERCEPTION