Frequency of musculoskeletal complaints and their associated risk factors among computer workers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Munir, Mehnaz

Affiliations: Community Medicine Department, Sharif Medical City, Lahore, Pakistan E-mail: mehnaz.munir@yahoo.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Computer-related work has become a part of the daily routine of workers of many occupations which leads to pains of multiple parts of the musculoskeletal system. OBJECTIVES:To examine the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal complaints of different regions of the body, and to examine the relationship between work-related risk factors with musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS:Three hundred and twenty-six computer workers were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from three clusters of computer sectors. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Respondents were interviewed and their height and weight were measures. Confidentiality was assured. RESULTS:The most common musculoskeletal complaints were shoulder (45%), neck (43%), and upper-middle back (36%) pain. The complaints were related to the female gender, increase duration of computer and using a computer at home. CONCLUSIONS:Musculoskeletal complaints and psychosocial stresses were related to increasing the duration of computer work.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, compute workers, work-related factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210266

Journal: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 997-1005, 2022