Effectiveness of self-instructional information on knowledge of office ergonomics among computer users in educational institutions in North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The use of computers has increased among adolescents, as have musculoskeletal symptoms. There is evidence that these symptoms can be reduced through ergonomic approaches via educationObjectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of self-instructional information on knowledge regarding office ergonomics among computer users. Methods: 170 computer users among the staffs of selected higher educational institutions in Nigeria participated in this study. The occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workstation checklist was used to assess the level of knowledge of office ergonomics. The work Safely with Visual Display Terminal (WSVDT) booklet was used to provide instructional information on office ergonomics. Both the OSHA checklist and WSVDT booklet were administered and collected by hand. Paired t-test and Kendall’s correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05Results: The pre-information and post-information knowledge scores of office ergonomic were 22.78±6.61 and 31.05±2.82 respectively. Paired t test showed a significant difference in the pre information and post -information knowledge scores of the participants (t = 20.495, P value = 0.000). Kendall’s correlation coefficient value (r) of the association between changes in the level of knowledge of office computer ergonomic and age, level of education of computer users, levels of computer use; i.e., daily computer use, weekly computer use and total period of computer use, were -0.28, 0.34, 0.59, 0.24 and 0.07, respectively. Age did not show a statistically significant correlation with changes in the knowledge of office ergonomic (P > 0.05) whereas the level of educational qualifications and all levels of duration of computer use did show significant correlation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this study showed that instructional information on computer office ergonomics increased the level of knowledge of office ergonomics among computer users in selected institutions of learning in Nigeria. It also showed that the level of education and duration of computer use increased with an increase in the changes in the level of knowledge of computer office ergonomics among computer users.