Introduction:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common consequences of poor working
conditions associated with computer use. Regarding the lack of information
about MSDs and the extensive use of computer among the university students in
our country, this study aimed to explore the awareness level of ergonomic
considerations in computer use and the prevalence of MSDs among university
students.
Materials
and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 students
of three faculties of medicine, dentistry and paramedical of Babol University
of Medical Sciences in 2012. The subjects were selected by simple sampling
method. The data were gathered by the researcher-made questionnaire consisting
of 6 open and 10 closed questions. Data processing was performed by using
descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: The mean
(SD) age of students was 21.7 (2.5) years, 64% were females and 67% were
undergraduate students. Ninety percent of the students had personal computer
and 48% had spent 1 hour or more on their computer daily. It has been reported
that approximately 55% of students had suffered from MSDs and less than 10% of
them had been familiar with ergonomic considerations in computer use.
Chi-square test indicated a significant difference in the incidence of MSDs in
terms of the duration of working with computer (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The complaints
of MSDs in about half of the students and the lack of awareness of ergonomic
considerations in most of them suggest the possibility of increasing future
problems. Therefore, regarding the inclination of most students in receiving
information and their influential role in the dissemination of knowledge,
performing interventional programs including education in computer ergonomic
principles is recommended.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
AR-SA
