Prevalence of text neck syndrome among Anganwadi workers: a cross-sectional study from Chalisgaon, Maharashtra

Background: Anganwadi workers (AWWs) play an essential role in community health and nutrition services. Digital initiatives such as Poshan Abhiyan have led to increased smartphone use among AWWs. Prolonged smartphone use with sustained neck flexion predisposes individuals to text neck syndrome (TNS). However, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence of TNS among Anganwadi workers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome among AWWs. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 76 Anganwadi workers from the Chalisgaon-2 sector, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. Participants aged 18-60 years with a minimum of six months of work experience were included using simple random sampling. Data were collected using the neck disability index (NDI), numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and text neck questionnaire assessing smartphone usage patterns and neck- and shoulder-related symptoms. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed. Results: The prevalence of text neck syndrome was 78.94%. Based on the NDI, 39.47% of participants had moderate disability and 32.89% had severe disability. Moderate pain was reported by 38.15%, while 10.52% experienced severe pain. Severe text neck symptoms were present in 56.57% of participants. A significant association was observed between daily smartphone usage duration and NDI scores, as well as between text neck questionnaire and NDI scores (p<0.001). Conclusions: Text neck syndrome is highly prevalent among Anganwadi workers. Prolonged smartphone use and poor neck posture appear to be key contributing factors, emphasizing the need for ergonomic education and preventive interventions.