Gender differences in the prevalence and association between smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal disorders among vocational school students in Shanghai

This study examined the prevalence of smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), their association, and gender differences among vocational school students in Shanghai. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4897 students (61 % male) using the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS) and the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire from March to April 2023. Binary logistic regression was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for MSDs, including gender interaction terms. Overall, 38.0 % of students reported MSDs (42.3 % among females vs. 35.2 % among males), most common in the neck (23.5 %), lower back (19.5 %), and shoulders (16.5 %), where females exhibited a higher prevalence at specific sites. Smartphone addiction was prevalent in 70.5 % of participants, significantly higher in females (76.5 %) than males (66.6 %). Both MPATS scores and addiction status were significantly associated with MSDs in the neck, shoulders, back, wrists, and elbows ( p < 0.05), with the greatest risk noted for elbow pain (MPATS OR = 1.05, 95 %CI: 1.04, 1.06; addiction OR = 2.37, 95 %CI: 1.75, 3.20). Gender interactions were not significant. Smartphone addiction and MSDs are highly prevalent among vocational students, particularly females. The significant association between addiction and MSDs highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce health risks linked to excessive smartphone use. • A large sample of a vulnerable and underrepresented population. • Quantified smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal disorders prevalence. • Found gender differences in both conditions and strong links within each gender.