%0 Journal Article %T Poor sitting posture and a heavy schoolbag as contributors to musculoskeletal pain in children: an ergonomic school education intervention program %A Syazwan AI %A Mohamad Azhar MN %A Anita AR %A Azizan HS %A Shaharuddin MS %A Muhamad Hanafiah J %A Muhaimin AA %A Nizar AM %A Mohd Rafee B %A Mohd Ibthisham A %A Kasani A %J Journal of Pain Research %D 2011 %I Dove Medical Press %R http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S22281 %X or sitting posture and a heavy schoolbag as contributors to musculoskeletal pain in children: an ergonomic school education intervention program Original Research (6036) Total Article Views Authors: Syazwan AI, Mohamad Azhar MN, Anita AR, Azizan HS, Shaharuddin MS, Muhamad Hanafiah J, Muhaimin AA, Nizar AM, Mohd Rafee B, Mohd Ibthisham A, Kasani A Published Date September 2011 Volume 2011:4 Pages 287 - 296 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S22281 AI Syazwan1, MN Mohamad Azhar1, AR Anita1, HS Azizan1, MS Shaharuddin2, J Muhamad Hanafiah3, AA Muhaimin4, AM Nizar5, B Mohd Rafee1,6, A Mohd Ibthisham7, Adam Kasani7 1Environmental and Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 2Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Health Services Management Unit, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 5Pharmacology Unit, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 6Ergonomic Division, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; 7Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a multidisciplinary, interventional, ergonomic education program designed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems by reducing schoolbag weight and correcting poor sitting posture. Methods: Data were collected twice before and twice following intervention using the Standardized Nordic Body Map Questionnaire, a rapid upper limb assessment for posture evaluation, and schoolbag weight measurement in children aged 8 and 11 years attending two schools within the central region of Malaysia. Results: Students who received the ergonomic intervention reported significant improvements in their sitting posture in a classroom environment and reduction of schoolbag weight as compared with the controls. Conclusion: A single-session, early intervention, group ergonomics education program for children aged 8 and 11 years is appropriate and effective, and should be considered as a strategy to reduce musculoskeletal pain among schoolchildren in this age group. %K ergonomic %K education %K intervention %K assessment %K musculoskeletal pain %K school children %K awareness %U https://www.dovepress.com/poor-sitting-posture-and-a-heavy-schoolbag-as-contributors-to-musculos-peer-reviewed-article-JPR