Neck pain among undergraduate medical students in a premier institute of central India: A cross-sectional study of prevalence and associated factors

CONTEXT: Competitive exams conducted for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in India are tough. The undergraduate course is additionally taxing to the students’ health. Lack of physical activity, the stress of studies, and universal adoption of different gadgets make the undergraduate medical students prone to develop musculoskeletal pain-related issues. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neck pain and the associated factors including gadget use among undergraduate medical students of a premier medical college in central India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: All undergraduate medical students including the interns of our institute were enrolled for this cross-sectional study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A self-explanatory internet-based questionnaire prepared using Kobo Toolbox was circulated via WhatsApp and email by the class representative of each batch of students. The responses obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Proportions and means were calculated. Chi-square test and univariable logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-one valid responses out of 423 responses were analyzed. In total, 58.3% of 331 students suffered from neck pain within the last one year. Students in the 3(rd) and 4(th) year had 2.9 times higher odds of current neck pain in comparison to 1(st)-year students. History of neck pain before joining the course was associated with a higher risk of having current neck pain. Self-perceived aggravation of pain from gadget use had significantly higher odds of contributing to the current episode of neck pain. CONCLUSIONS: Neck pain is not uncommon among undergraduate medical students. History of previous neck pain including that during schooling makes a student prone for the current episode of pain. Academic stress, smartphone and laptop use tend to aggravate the pain in those who have neck pain.