Assessment of Weight and Quality of Backpacks Used by Children in Selected School in Galle District

Abstract

Background: Heavy backpacks can cause back-pain and postural defects in children. Over the years, the weight of school backpack and the number of children getting treated with spinal braces for scoliosis have increased. Scientific research shows that maximum weight of backpack should be between 10-15% of child’s body weight. Objectives: To evaluate the quality and the percent weight of the backpack per child’s weight in age groups from 9-14 years in four selected schools in Galle district and to investigate solutions to reduce the weight of school backpack Methods: The study sample comprised of 693 school children from grades 4-9. Weight of child and weight of backpack were accessed over a week. Quality of backpacks was assessed using a data collection tool. The quality of the backpack was evaluated with pre-defined criteria namely, type of backpack, width of the shoulder strap, abdominal strap availability and empty backpack weight. Forty school teachers were interviewed and ideas were collected on how to reduce weight of school backpack. Results: The study shows that approximately 60% of backpacks weighed more than 15% of child’s body weight, 29% of backpacks were within 10-15% weight range and only 11% weighed less than 10% of child’s body weight. Mean (±SD) backpack to body weight percentage was 17.41 (±6.94) of the body weight. The highest weight percentage (21 ±3.50) was observed in students attending grade four. Assessment of backpack quality showed that 44% of backpacks were not in good quality. Feedback from teachers to reduce backpack weight includes; converting single periods to double periods, advising children to use an extra bag, encouraging the children to wear the backpack properly. Conclusions: Use of over-weighted and poor-quality backpacks were common among school children. Feasible solutions to reduce backpack weight were identified. Therefore, necessary precautions should be taken to reduce backpack weight of school children.