Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Complaints of Arm, Neck and Shoulder and Associated Risk Factors in Computer Office Workers

Abstract

Background The musculoskeletal complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder (CANS) affect the work-related tasks of workers who are sitting in front of the computer for an extended period of time and therefore lead to a reduction in productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CANS and associated risk factors among computer office worker.

Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 773 computer workers working in different work settings located in Faisalabad Pakistan from January to August 2019. The questionnaires adopted in this survey study were previously used and consist of 2 parts; the first section for demographic information and the second part consists of the the Masstricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ) that was used to determine the prevalence of CANS.

Results Of the 773 participants, 327 (42%) had shoulder pain, followed by neck pain 270 (35%), and the prevalence of pain in the upper arm and lower arm was 129 (17%) and 80 (10%), respectively. Those absent due to musculoskeletal problems were only 80 (10%). Females have reported overall more complaints 65% in upper extremity during the past years than male i. e. 56%. The study showed that there was a significant relationship between pain and age (years) (P=0.024), pain and work posture (P<0.001), and pain and work setting (P=0.009).

Conclusion The study concluded that CANs are prevalent in office workers, predominantly among women, and that risk factors closely related to CANS are age, work setting and sitting posture.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Büroangestellte, die längere Zeit am PC arbeiten, leiden häufig unter Beschwerden der Arme, Nacken und/oder Schulter (CANS Complaints of Arm, Neck and/or Shoulder), was wiederum zu einem Rückgang der Produktivität führen kann. Ziel der Studie war es, die Prävalenz solcher Beschwerden bei Büroangestellten und die damit verbundenen Risikofaktoren zu bestimmen.

Methoden Von Januar bis August 2019 wurde eine Querschnittsstudie mit 773 Arbeitnehmern mit PC-Arbeitsplatz von unterschiedlichen Arbeitsstätten in Faisalabad, Pakistan, durchgeführt. Die verwendeten Fragebögen waren bekannt und bestanden aus 2 Teilen, und zwar der Erhebung der demografischen Daten und dem Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ), mit dem die Prävalenz der Beschwerden in Armen, Nacken und Schultern bestimmt wurde.

Ergebnisse Von den 773 Teilnehmern hatten 327 (42%) Schulterschmerzen und 270 (35%) Nackenschmerzen. Die Prävalenz der Schmerzen in Oberarm und Unterarm betrug 129 (17%) bzw. 80 (10%). Die Anzahl der wegen Beschwerden des Bewegungsapparats nicht am Arbeitsplatz erschienenen Personen betrug lediglich 80 (10%). Der Anteil der weiblichen Angestellten, die in den letzten Jahren Beschwerden der oberen Extremitäten angegeben hatten, war mit 65% größer als der Anteil der Männer mit 56%. Die Studie zeigte einen signifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen Schmerzen und Alter (Jahren) (P=0.024), zwischen Schmerzen und Arbeitshaltung (P<0.001), sowie zwischen Schmerzen und Arbeitsumgebung (P=0.009).

Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie zeigte die Prävalenz von Beschwerden der Arme, Nacken und/oder Schultern bei Büroangestellten, insbesondere bei Frauen. Risikofaktoren für derartige Beschwerden sind Alter, Arbeitsumgebung und Arbeitshaltung.

Key Words

Musculoskeletal problems - CANS - Computer - Officer Workers - Prevalence

Schlüsselwörter

Beschwerden des Bewegungsapparats - CANS - Computer - Büroangestelle - Häufigkeit

Publication History

Received: 30 September 2019

Accepted: 30 January 2020

Article published online:
17 March 2020

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