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High prevalence of tiredness and pain in young schoolchildren

Solveig Petersen1, Erik Bergström, Christine Brulin

  • 1Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
|October 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Common childhood complaints like tiredness, headache, stomach ache, and backache affect many young schoolchildren. This study highlights the need for early preventive measures to address these prevalent health issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Childhood health complaints are often underreported.
  • Understanding the prevalence of common ailments in schoolchildren is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of tiredness, headache, stomach ache, and backache in young schoolchildren.
  • To identify patterns and potential risk factors associated with these common complaints.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized cluster sample of 1155 schoolchildren (grades 0-6, aged 6-13 years) in Umeå, Sweden.
  • Data collection via a questionnaire assessing the frequency of specific symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Tiredness was the most frequent complaint (31% weekly, 16% daily).
  • Headache prevalence was 23% weekly, with higher rates in older grades and among girls.
  • Stomach ache (19% weekly) and backache (18% monthly) were also common, with stomach ache more prevalent in lower grades.

Conclusions:

  • Tiredness, headache, stomach ache, and backache are common health issues in young schoolchildren.
  • Prevalence of these complaints generally increases with grade level.
  • Preventive strategies should be implemented early to address these widespread childhood ailments.
Abstract

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