Screen time and chronic neck pain in Peru: A comparative population-based cross-sectional study in the COVID-19 post-pandemic period

Abstract

Background Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent condition worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its prevalence increased, partly due to the rise in screen time associated with digital device use. However, two years after the pandemic, there is still a lack of epidemiological data on its current prevalence. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CNP among adults in Peru in 2025 and assess its association with screen viewing time. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study involving a nationally representative sample of Peruvian individuals aged 18 years or older, whose data were collected in February 2025. The dependent variable —CNP— was self-reported based on symptoms experienced in the prior six months, and the exposure was the average daily screen time (hours/day). We assessed the association with multinomial logistic regression, adjusting by sex, age, rurality, and region of residence. The prevalences of the outcome and the exposure were described along with the estimates from November 2022, at the end of the pandemic. Results 1208 individuals were surveyed (51.6% women), with a mean age of 40.34 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39.3–41.3). CNP daily or near-daily affected 15.6% (95%CI: 13.4–18.0) of the participants; representing a slight but non-significant increase compared to 2022 (14.8%, 95%IC: 12.6–17.3) (p = 0.525). Screen time exceeding 8 hours per day was significantly associated with daily or near-daily CNP (odds ratio: 4.17, 95% CI: 2.15–7.69) compared with individuals who had never experienced neck pain. Conclusions Two years after the end of the COVID-19 social restrictions in Peru, the prevalence of CNP remains high, with 15 out of 100 adults experiencing this condition daily. The association between screen use and CNP was strongest in adults aged 18–29 years, while other factors may be more influential in adults ≥60. As prolonged screen use is a modifiable risk factor, reducing excessive exposure should be prioritized within prevention strategies to lower CNP prevalence.