Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence of vertebral column defects and its influencing factors among primary and secondary school students in Dali City, Yunnan Province, so as to provide a scientific evidence for preventing and controlling the vertebral column defects. Methods In 2020, stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to select primary and secondary school students from 11 schools in Dali City for vertebral column defect screening and questionnaire survey. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of vertebral column defects among students in Dali City. Results A total of 3 354 primary and secondary school students in Dali City were included in this study. The incidence rate of vertebral column defects was 3.40% （114 cases）, of which 102 cases （89.47%） were scoliosis. More males （4.11%） suffered from vertebral column defects than females （2.71%）, and the incidence rate of vertebral column defects was higher in suburban areas （4.32%） than in urban areas （2.78%） （both P<0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male students （OR=1.598）, suburban area （OR=1.632）, overweight （OR=0.437）, and obesity （OR=0.215） were the influencing factors of vertebral column defects. Conclusions In 2020, the incidence rate of vertebral column defects among primary and secondary school students in Dali City was higher than the national average. Emphasis should be placed on spinal health education for suburban, overweight, and obese students to reduce the incidence of vertebral column defects.

Key words: Vertebral column defect, Primary and secondary school students, Epidemiology, Influencing factor