Prevalence of Upper Back Pain Including Neck Pain Among College Going Students

Introduction- Upper back pain & neck pain is increasingly common among college students due to sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and excessive screen time. Early identification of disability levels is essential to prevent long-term musculoskeletal problems. The aim and objective - To determine the prevalence of upper back pain including neck pain among college-going students using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and to explore its association with lifestyle factors. Need of study – The Need of study is to investigate the Prevalence of upper back pain including neck pain among college going students. Methodology &Outcome measures - A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 60 college students. The NDI questionnaire was used to assess the level of neck-related functional disability. Participants with vertebral artery insufficiency, spinal trauma, deformity, radiating pain, or a history of neck surgery were excluded. Results - Out of 60 participants, 29 (48.3%) reported varying degrees of neck-related disability, while 31 (51.7%) reported no disability. The NDI demonstrated high reliability and internal consistency for this population. Trends suggested a possible association between disability and prolonged screen time or poor posture. Conclusion- The study reveals a high prevalence of upper back pain & neck pain - related disability among college students. These findings highlight the need for early preventive strategies, including posture education and lifestyle modification, to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in young adults.