Objective To understand the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis and the influencing factors in primary and middle school students in Nantong, Jiangsu province, and provide reference for the prevention of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents.

Methods A total of 15 615 students from seven districts in Nantong were selected for spinal examinations and questionnaire survey from September to November in 2022. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of idiopathic scoliosis in primary and middle school students.

Results The detection rate of idiopathic scoliosis in primary and middle school students in Nantong was 5.65% (882/15615), and the detection rates of scoliosis in thoracic segment, lumbo-thoracic segment, and lumbar segment were 3.34% (522/15615), 4.18% (652/15615) and 4.85% (757/15615) respectively. The detection rate of idiopathic scoliosis in primary and middle school students was related to myopia, school grade, days of high-intensity exercise exceeding 60 minutes and sleep time in the past week, and sitting and standing habits of the students (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that being middle school students (OR=1.85, P<0.001) and daily electronic device use time 1～<2h (OR=1.66, P=0.005) were the risk factors, and daily sleep time 7～8 h (OR=0.84, P=0.034), daily sleep time >8 h (OR=0.51, P<0.001) and keeping good sitting and standing postures (OR=0.78, P=0.047) were the protective factors for idiopathic scoliosis in primary and middle school students. Being girl was a risk factor for thoracic scoliosis (OR=1.30, P=0.009) and lumbar scoliosis (OR=1.50, P<0.001). Daily exercise time ≥2 h (OR=0.77, P=0.004) and daily moderate-to-vigorous exercise time ≥60 min for ≥3 days (OR=0.81, P=0.010) in the past week were protective factors for lumbar scoliosis.

Conclusion Idiopathic scoliosis is a disease in adolescents that might impact the health of primary and middle school students in Nantong. High school grade and daily longtime electronic device use are risk factors and intensive exercise, enough sleep and keeping good sitting and standing postures are protective factors for idiopathic scoliosis in primary and middle school students. Therefore, comprehensive and targeted intervention measures should be taken for the prevention and control of idiopathic scoliosis.