Prevalence of mec
Prevalence of mechanical neck pain in
Taif university female students: a survey study
Nevein M M
Gharib and Nashwa S Hamid
Department of
Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. [email protected]
Abstract: This
study was conducted to identify the prevalence and the associated risk factors
of neck pain in female undergraduate students from Taif University in Saudi
Arabia. Three hundred female volunteers’ students from Taif University were
participated in this study. Their ages ranges from 18 to 27 years old with a
mean age of 20.49 years (± 2.14) and a mean body mass index of 23.13 (± 3.32).
Self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on the prevalence of
neck pain and its associated risk factors. Additionally, all participants were
assessed for neck disability (by using neck pain disability index
questionnaire) and for cervical range of motion (by using CROM apparatus). The
results showed that 54% of the participants reported experiencing neck pain.
The prevalence of neck pain increased with higher level of study and it is
commoner among clinical students. Postural bad habits and life style are the
most common risk factors. It was concluded that Taif university female students
had a high prevalence of mechanical neck pain. The future health of
undergraduate students deserves consideration and they should be alerted to the
likelihood of mechanical neck pain and its potential causes. However there is
still uncertaininty about factors leading to neck pain and more research is
needed on this topic.
[Nevein M M Gharib and Nashwa S
Hamid. Prevalence of mechanical
neck pain in Taif university female students: a survey study. J Am Sci 2013;9(6):347-354].
(ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 40
Key words: Neck pain, Mechanical disorders, Prevalence, Taif
University, Students, Survey study. Full Text 40
