Abstract
BackgroundInformation technologies in occupational activities have been developing very rapid. Epidemiological studies have shown that musculoskeletal disorders are widely prevalent among employees working with a computer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in various anatomical areas and its associations with individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors among computer workers of the public sector in Kaunas County, Lithuania.MethodsThe investigation consisting of two parts – questionnaire study (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) and direct observation (evaluation of work ergonomics using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA]) – was carried out in three randomly selected public sector companies of Kaunas County. The representative study sample comprised 513 public service office workers. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in five anatomical areas of the body (shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, as well as upper and low back) was evaluated.ResultsThe prevalence rates of shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, upper and low back pain were 50.5 %, 20.3 %, 26.3 %, 44.8 %, and 56.1 %, respectively. Individual factors such as gender, age, computer work experience, and body mass index were found as significant for musculoskeletal pain in various musculoskeletal regions. The respondents reporting pain in shoulder, wrist/hand, upper back, and low back areas had a statistically significantly higher mean RULA score. The duration of working with a computer was found as a significant factor for shoulder pain. High quantitative demands were related to musculoskeletal pain in all investigated anatomical areas expect for the low back; weak social support was a significant predictor for complaints in upper and low back areas.ConclusionThis study confirmed associations between musculoskeletal pain and work ergonomics; therefore, preventive measures at the workplace should be directed to the improvement in ergonomic work environment, education, and workload optimization.
Highlights
Information technologies in occupational activities have been developing very rapid
Duration of working with a computer was significantly associated only with the prevalence of MS pain in the shoulder: the employees working with a computer more than 4 h per day more frequently complained about pain in this area
The results showed that a higher Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) score was statistically significantly associated with a greater risk of having MS complaints in the shoulder, wrist/hand, upper back, and low back anatomical areas
Summary
Information technologies in occupational activities have been developing very rapid. Epidemiological studies have shown that musculoskeletal disorders are widely prevalent among employees working with a computer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in various anatomical areas and its associations with individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors among computer workers of the public sector in Kaunas County, Lithuania. Musculoskeletal (MS) disorders are the most common work-related health problem in Europe, affecting millions of workers [1]. Complaints about pain in other anatomical body regions (shoulders, upper extremities, back) are prevalent among computer users. Significant associations of these complaints with both physical [10, 13,14,15] and psychosocial [16,17,18,19] work environment are noted in studies. With the intention to fully consider the predisposing aspects of MS disorders, all factors – individual, physical, and psychosocial – were analyzed in this study
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