Background: Many cross-sectional studies have examined the predictors of neck pain among adolescents and working-age populations, but there are limited studies included undergraduate students.
Objective: To investigate the predictors of neck disability among undergraduate students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered online survey. Students completed the survey that included socio-demographic factors, academic-related factors, health and lifestyle factors, and standardized questionnaires including Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Students who reported an NDI score higher than 15 were considered as having a neck disability. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the significant predictors of neck disability.
Results: Of all students (n = 1292), 20.8% reported neck disability. Among all possible predictors, students' major satisfaction (OR 1.46 [95% CI 1.06-2.01]; p = 0.019), DASS-21 anxiety score (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.03-1.09]; p < 0.001), SF-12 total score (OR 0.89 [95% CI 0.86-92]; p < 0.001), and PSQI score (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.15-1.28]; p < 0.001) were the only significant predictors of neck disability.
Conclusions: Increased levels of academic stressors and anxiety, and decreased levels of quality of life and sleep quality are associated with increased neck disability among undergraduate students.
Keywords: Spine; academic stress; anxiety; quality of life; sleep quality.