Abstract
Backpacks are used by school children to carry their materials. Heavy backpacks associated with several
adverse effects on the health of children and may interfere with their school achievement.
The objective to assess the effect of school bags on pulmonary functions of school children in Al- Hilla
city.
This is a descriptive school based cross sectional study which was carried out on a convenient sample of 220
healthy pupils, from the fifth and sixth grades, from four randomly selected primary schools during the
period from February through May, 2015.
Written and verbal consents were obtained from the pupils and their parents .
Data were collected through interviewing the participants by using a structured questionnaire contained
sociodemographic and school bag related information. Pulmonary function test was performed using an
electronic portable spirometer (discovery-2 USA), after measuring the weight and height of the participants.
Pulmonary function parameters were significantly reduced after carrying backpack (p value < 0.001) except
the FEV1/FVC was increased after carrying the backpack .
The results indicate that there was a significant reduction of the ventilatory functions of primary school
children after carrying the backpack. Preventive measures are needed to protect school children.
Key words:Backpack, pulmonary function, elementary school children, Hilla, Iraq.