1 Sport, Health and Evaluation Research Unit (UR/SSE), National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.
2 Human Movement and Well-Being Sciences Laboratory (LSMUBE), National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.
3 Biomechanics and Performance Research Unit (UR/BioP), National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin.
4 National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin.
* Corresponding Author
ORCID Details
KOUASSI Jean-Paul: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-7675-6996
FALOLA Stève Marjelin Donan: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-3745-1900
TANOH Kouassi Stanislas: https://orcid.org/ 0009-0009-0497-6282
SINH Josi-Noelline: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0873-0310
OUATTARA Aboubacar: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5612-5070
LAHIRI Armand: https://orcid.org/ 0009-0004-4559-1999
AGBODJOGBÉ Kpédétin: Wilfrid: https://orcid.org/ 0009-0002-7962-9196
KOUAMÉ N'guessan: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-5698-9629
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 28(03), 190–197
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2026.28.3.0230
Received on 06 August 2026; revised on 13 September 2026; accepted on 15 September 2026
Background: Spinal deformities and musculoskeletal disorders are an emerging public health concern among schooled adolescents in Côte d'Ivoire, yet local data remain unavailable.
Objective: This study aimed to characterise spinal deformities and identify factors associated with the occurrence of spinal disorders among lower-secondary students at Lycée Moderne Lucien Yebarth 1, San-Pedro.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from 9 to 23 March 2026 among 83 students (44 girls, 39 boys) aged 9–18 years, selected through purposive sampling. After weighing average backpack loads, spinal parameters were evaluated using a magnetic plumb line according to Blouet's (1998) standards. Scoliosis and rib-hump deformity were screened via frontal observation and the Adams forward-bend test, respectively. Associations between variables were tested using the Chi-square test and Cramer's V (significance threshold p < .05).
Results: At the thoracic level, 53.0% of students had a flat back and 20.5% presented hyperkyphosis, with only 26.5% showing a normal curvature. Scoliosis prevalence was 27.7% and rib-hump deformity 21.7%. Both scoliosis and rib-hump deformity were significantly associated with earlier onset of post-sitting back pain (p = .009 and p = .008, respectively).
Conclusion: Spinal deformities are widespread among schooled adolescents in San-Pedro, supporting the need for school-based ergonomic interventions and systematic spinal screening in Ivorian schools.
Spinal Deformities; Spinal Musculoskeletal Disorders; Schooled Adolescents; Sitting Posture; School Ergonomics; Côte d'Ivoire
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KOUASSI Jean-Paul, FALOLA Stève Marjelin Donan, TANOH Kouassi Stanislas, Sinh Josi-Noelline, OUATTARA Aboubacar, LAHIRI Armand, AGBODJOGBÉ Kpédétin Wilfrid and KOUAMÉ N'guessan . PREVALENCE OF SPINAL DEFORMITIES AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG STUDENTS OF LYCÉE MODERNE LUCIEN YEBARTH 1, SAN-PEDRO, CÔTE D'IVOIRE. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 28(03), 190–197. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2026.28.3.0230.