Smartphone Use and the Occurrence of Spine Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Students at a University Institute in the City of Bafoussam, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Atemkeng Tsadedem Faustin Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Franklin Chu Buh Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
  • Ghassi Hyacinte Trésor Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
  • Tabunguia Ange Ulrich Leroy Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Talla Kenmogne Ange Faustine Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Donfack Jean Hubert Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Fondop Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Djam Chefor Alain Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
  • Moulion Tapouh Jean Roger Assistant of the department. Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v4i1.1303
Keywords: Smartphone, spine, musculoskeletal disorders, University Institute, Bafoussam, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Excessive use of smartphones can cause musculoskeletal disorders of the spine (MSDs). The objective was to determine the impact of smartphone addiction in the occurrence of MSDs in students of the University Institute and Strategic Estuary (IUEs /INSAM) of the city of Bafoussam.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study among students of IUEs /INSAM Bafoussam. Data on the demographics, physical activity was collected. Smartphone Assessment Score-Short Version (SAS-SV) was used to determine smartphone addiction and the Nordic questionnaire to determine the occurrence of MSDs. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Associations were ascertained by a logistic regression analysis.

Results: We enrolled 636 participants; the median age was 22 years (Inter-quartile rate (IQR) 16- 37); 69.8% participants were females. About 314 of the respondents practiced physical activity (49.4%) and 567(89.2%) owned smartphones. The prevalence of spinal MSDs in the past 12 months was 67%, with the cervical spine being the most affected (38%). The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 65.1%. Female gender (adjustable odd ratio (aOR): 1.88; confidence interval (CI): 1.29-2.63; p=0.001), smartphone ownership (aOR: 1.75; CI: 1.036-2.98; p=0.037), and smartphone addiction (aOR: 2.32; CI: 1.62-3.33; p=0.00) were significantly associated with occurrence of spinal MSDs. Physical activity (aOR: 0.56; CI: 0.39-0.80; p=0.002) was associated with a lower occurrence of MSDs in smartphone users.

Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is quite high among University students in Bafoussam and is a risk factor for MSDs and regular physical activity is associated to a lower occurrence of these MSDs. There is need to take measures for smartphone addiction prevention and safe withdrawal among University students in Bafoussam.

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Published
2023-02-03
How to Cite
Faustin , A. T., Buh, F. C., Trésor, G. H., Leroy, T. A. U., Faustine, T. K. A., Hubert, D. J., Fondop, Alain, D. C., & Roger, M. T. J. (2023). Smartphone Use and the Occurrence of Spine Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Students at a University Institute in the City of Bafoussam, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study. Central Asian Journal of Medical and Natural Science, 4(1), 133-145. https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v4i1.1303
Issue
Vol 4 No 1 (2023): JANUARY
Section
Articles