FREQUENCY OF TEXT NECK SYNDROME AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH FORWARD HEAD POSTURE AMONG THE STUDENTS OF ABASYN UNIVERSITY PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: The rapid rise in smartphone and laptop use has transformed academic routines but has also introduced new musculoskeletal health challenges among university students. Prolonged screen exposure, sustained neck flexion, and poor ergonomic practices are increasingly linked to Text Neck Syndrome and Forward Head Posture, particularly in technology-oriented disciplines. These postural deviations may lead to neck pain, functional disability, and long-term musculoskeletal consequences if unrecognized and unmanaged. Understanding the extent of these problems in student populations is essential for developing early preventive strategies. Objective: To determine the presence of Text Neck Syndrome and its association with forward head posture among Computer Science students at Abasyn University, Peshawar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months at Abasyn University, Peshawar. Using convenience sampling, 249 Computer Science students aged 18–25 years were recruited after informed consent. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, the Neck Disability Index, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and goniometric measurement of the craniovertebral angle to assess forward head posture. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied to examine associations between variables. Results: The mean Neck Disability Index category score was 1.78 ± 1.04, with over half of participants reporting no disability, while the remainder exhibited mild to complete disability. Pain intensity showed a mean Numeric Pain Rating Scale category score of 1.52 ± 0.89, with most participants reporting mild to moderate pain. Forward head posture was common, with 44.2% showing mild and 21.3% showing severe postural deviation. A weak but statistically significant negative correlation was found between Neck Disability Index and craniovertebral angle (r = −0.144, p = 0.023). Gender showed no significant association with neck disability or craniovertebral angle, although a weak significant association with pain intensity was observed (r = −0.162, p = 0.011). Conclusion: Text Neck Syndrome and forward head posture were prevalent among Computer Science students and were primarily associated with postural habits rather than age or gender. These findings highlight the need for ergonomic education, posture awareness, and healthy screen-use practices to reduce musculoskeletal risks in university students.