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Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a recurrent health concern among university students and can be facilitated by ergonomic and environmental factors, including sleeping surfaces. Poor mattress quality, inappropriate firmness, or prolonged use may expose individuals to spinal discomfort and reduced sleep satisfaction. Despite the significance of this relationship, limited research has explored the role of sleeping surfaces in MSP among Nigerian university students. Aim: This study investigated the correlation between sleeping surfaces and musculoskeletal pain among residents of campus hostels within the University of Benin.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted involving 346 participants (60.2% females, 39.8% males) selected through stratified random sampling from five hostels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Boston Mattress Satisfaction Questionnaire (BMSQ). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 26. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The most frequently reported regions of pain were the lower back (50.7%), neck (47.3%), and upper back (43.6%). Foam mattresses were predominantly used (95.7%) with a mean thickness of 7.12 ± 2.61 cm and average sleep duration of 5.76 ± 1.31 hours. Significant associations were found between mattress type and pain in the wrist/hands, upper back, and ankles, and between duration of mattress use and pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, upper back, and hips/thighs (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that the type and duration of mattress use significantly influence musculoskeletal pain among hostel residents. Prolonged use of substandard or worn-out foam mattresses contributes to pain and reduced sleep satisfaction. It is recommended that students and hostel management prioritize ergonomic education, regular mattress replacement, and physiotherapy-led interventions to improve spinal health and sleep quality.
Keywords: Sleeping surface, Musculoskeletal pain, Hostel residents, Mattress, University of Benin.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted involving 346 participants (60.2% females, 39.8% males) selected through stratified random sampling from five hostels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Boston Mattress Satisfaction Questionnaire (BMSQ). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 26. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The most frequently reported regions of pain were the lower back (50.7%), neck (47.3%), and upper back (43.6%). Foam mattresses were predominantly used (95.7%) with a mean thickness of 7.12 ± 2.61 cm and average sleep duration of 5.76 ± 1.31 hours. Significant associations were found between mattress type and pain in the wrist/hands, upper back, and ankles, and between duration of mattress use and pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, upper back, and hips/thighs (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that the type and duration of mattress use significantly influence musculoskeletal pain among hostel residents. Prolonged use of substandard or worn-out foam mattresses contributes to pain and reduced sleep satisfaction. It is recommended that students and hostel management prioritize ergonomic education, regular mattress replacement, and physiotherapy-led interventions to improve spinal health and sleep quality.
Keywords: Sleeping surface, Musculoskeletal pain, Hostel residents, Mattress, University of Benin.
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