Abstract Background: Though seen as a convenient method of carrying books and other scholastic materials including food items, schoolbags are believed to contribute to back pain and other muscle problems in school going children. Purpose: This study was performed with the aim of identifying the states of carrying a bag and muscle pain pain in primary school pupils Study Desing: Descriptive study Methods: This study was performed as a descriptive study. Data were collected using a socio-demographic data form, the Self-Assessment Pain Scale (SAPS), Faces Pain Rating Scale and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: The bag weight/body weight ratio of 83.6% of the pupils was 0.11 and 56.8% of pupils had reported pain associated with carrying a schoolbag. The face pain score average in pupils whose bag weight/body weight ratio is 0.11 and over was higher and statistically more significant, when compared with those with a body weight ratio of 0.10 and below. Conclusions: The results suggest that the recommended weight limits may not be appropriate for school children in primary school, and that guidelines ought to consider factors other than relative schoolbag weight that influence the use of schoolbags in this age group.

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