Background Neck pain is one of the leading causes of discomfort and disability, especially among students who use digital devices and books for studying. This study investigates the prevalence of neck pain among students of the University of Jordan and the effects of possible risk factors, such as posture and study utilities. Methods The data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 507 students stratified across 20 faculties in correspondence to the number of students per faculty. The questionnaire used in the study was structured and assessed demographic factors, study-related behaviors, books and digital device usage, study duration, and physical activity. Results  The data analyzed showed that out of the 507 students, (52.4%) complained of neck pain in the last week, with the most complained site of pain being the neck (56%), and the least being the left shoulder (5.2%). Sitting slouched increased the odds of developing neck pain by 118% compared to sitting upright with full back support (OR = 2.18, CI [1.18, 4.04], p = 0.013). Using laptops (OR = 2.65, CI [1.45, 4.87], p = 0.002) or tablets (OR = 2.68, CI [1.34, 5.36], p = 0.005) for studying was associated with a nearly 2.7-fold increase in the odds of neck pain compared with using phones. In contrast, studying with books was not significantly associated with neck pain. Also, there was no significant difference in odds between tablet and laptop users. Conclusion This study identified the urgent need for ergonomic education and interventions to promote healthier study habits and reduce musculoskeletal strain in students. Slouched sitting and use of laptops or tablets are risk-increasing, while phone use is risk-decreasing for neck pain development.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

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The study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Jordan on December 12, 2024 (Decision No. 318/2024), which made certain that every research activity carried out complied with the ethical frameworks and standards. Participants were fully informed about the purpose of this study, and informed consent was obtained before participation. As no identifiable data were collected, responses were confidentially recorded and securely stored to maintain data integrity.

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