Relationship between Features of Desks and Chairs and Prevalence of Skeletal Disorders in Primary School Students in Abadan

Sitting on inappropriate benches, as well as the poor posture (body position) during the years of growth, can lead to spinal disorders, fatigue and discomfort in students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between features of desks and chairs and prevalence of some musculoskeletal disorders in primary school students in Abadan.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 in the city of Abadan- South West of Iran; for which, 383 primary school students were selected and studied through cluster sampling method. Data were collected by the checkered board and researcher-made questionnaire. Features and dimensions of desks and chairs of students were recorded and evaluated based on their condition (being standard or not). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 22; and then, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were conducted.
Study results showed that about 56.1% of the desks and chairs in under study schools were non-standard. It found that drooping shoulder (85.4%) and scoliosis (81.7%) were the more prevalent disorders and back straight (1.6%) was the least frequent disorder. There was a significant relationship between the variable of non-standard desks and chairs and prevalence of drooping shoulders (P=0.001), scoliosis (P= 0.04), kyphosis (P=0.007) and lordosis (P=0.002) disorders in students.
The non-standard-sized desks and chairs increase the prevalence of skeletal disorders in schoolchildren. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to design and build standard classroom desks and chairs, which are best, adjust to students’ physics.