Effect of Daily Mobile Device Use on Cervical Spine Posture and Associated Neck Pain Among University Students in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Background: The widespread use of smartphones and tablets has been associated with sustained forward head posture, producing abnormal cervical spine biomechanics and contributing to neck pain in young adults. Nigerian university students represent a population with intensive mobile device use, yet the physiological relationship between device use duration, cervical posture, and neck pain has not been studied in the North Central geopolitical zone. Objectives: This study aims to quantify daily mobile device use duration, measure head-neck posture angle using photographic inclinometry, and assess neck pain intensity and frequency among undergraduates at the University of Ilorin. Methods: One hundred and sixty students will be recruited by stratified sampling. Device use will be documented using self-report and device screen time logs over seven days. Cervical flexion angle will be measured from lateral photographs using ImageJ software. Neck pain will be assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Neck Disability Index. Pearson correlation and regression analysis will model relationships. Expected Outcomes: Greater daily mobile device use is expected to correlate significantly with more pronounced forward head posture and higher neck pain scores, with more than four hours of daily use as a critical exposure threshold. Conclusion: Findings will inform ergonomic education campaigns targeting mobile device use among Nigerian university students. Keywords: mobile device use, cervical posture, neck pain, forward head posture, Ilorin.