Text Neck Syndrome Among Students at the National University in Sudan

Introduction: Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) characterized by discomfort and rigidity in the neck and upper back due to improper posture when utilizing digital devices. While many individuals recognize that overuse of smartphones can be detrimental, they often lack detailed information regarding the syndrome itself or effective prevention methods. Public understanding of TNS differs greatly, yet there is typically a disconnect between individuals who suffer from symptoms and those who have received a formal diagnosis or possess knowledge of particular preventive strategies.

The Aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and awareness of TNS among students at the National University (NU) in Sudan.

Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out involving 324 students at the NU from April to September 2025. Data collection was performed via an online survey, utilizing a questionnaire as the research instrument. Data were analyzed utilizing Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). All ethical considerations were maintained.

Results: Majority (72.8%) of the participants utilize their phones for over 5 hours each day. In terms of posture while using a smartphone, the most frequently observed angle was between 30° to 45° of neck flexion, accounting for 43.6%. Approximately 43% of the participants indicated that they experienced neck pain. merely 13% of the participants in this study were aware of TNS, while 87% had not heard of text TNS. The findings revealed a significant relationship (p=0.006<0.05), suggesting that individuals who exhibit a greater neck flexion are more prone to experiencing neck pain. The findings were statistically significant (P=0.003<0.05), suggesting that extended daily use of smartphones is significantly linked to the experience of neck pain.

Conclusion: Awareness regarding NTS is significantly limited among students at NU in Sudan. There exists a strong correlation between the length of smartphone usage and neck pain, which is a primary symptom of TNS among NU students. Additionally, neck flexion while using a smartphone is also linked to the development of neck pain and TNS among students at NU.