Abnormal spinal curvature and its influencing factors among middle and high school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the incidence of abnormal spinal curvature and related factors among middle school students in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide evidence for abnormal spinal curvature prevention and treatment.@*Methods@#By using a random stratified cluster sampling method, 87 908 students of middle and high school students from all 12 counties(districts) were investigated via questionnaires for abnormal spinal curvature and health influencing factors in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chi square test was used to perform demographic characteristics and univariate analysis, and binary multivariate Logistic regression model was used to screen the risk factors for spinal curvature abnormalities in middle school students.@*Results@#A total of 3 131(3.56%) students with spinal curvature abnormalities were detected, with boys (3.69%) higher than that of girls(3.44%), urban areas (6.15%) higher than that of the suburban counties (2.50%), and high school students ( 4.97 %) higher than that of junior high school(2.73%) students( χ 2=4.01, 702.19, 299.36, P <0.05). The detectable rate of spinal curvature abnormalities increased with grade ( χ 2 trend =309.29, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that factors influencing abnormal spinal curvature included myopia, overweight, obesity, the frequency of classroom seating arrangements, time spent on homework/reading after school every day, time spent in daytime outdoor activities, self imposed requirements for posture of sitting and standing, phase of studying, gender, and area ( OR =0.53-2.55, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Abnormal spinal curvature is strongly correlated to nutritional status, myopia, sitting posture when reading and writing, sedentary time, and time spent in outdoor activities. The collaboration of multiple departments is required to establish anenvironment to protect the spine, early detection and early intervention.