Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the computer workstation settings and the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) related problems in computer users of bank. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among100 computer users of State Bank of Pakistan, Faisalabad and National Bank of Pakistan, Faisalabad from March to December 2017. Inclusion criteria of the study were male and female bank workers, age between 25–60 years who use desktop computers for at least 3 h a day and had at least 6 months working experience. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used to determine prevalence of MSK problems while Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) tool was used to evaluate Computer Work-Station (CWS) ergonomic parameters. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and variant correlation using SPSS version 20. Results The mean CMDQ was higher (43.0 ±33.6) in female than male (16.9±20.8) and there was significant association between gender and total discomfort (P=0.001). The discomfort was higher among females then males. The body parts reported to have the most significant levels of discomfort was the neck and head (mean 3.595±7.49), lower back (2.75±5.39) and right shoulder (mean 2.15±4.32).About 40% subjects suffered from neck pain while the remaining body parts having discomfort were right shoulder (39%), left shoulder (37%), and low back (36%).Almost 90% of the participants had ROSA score greater than 5 that shows that most individuals were at higher risk of ergonomics hazardous. Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrated that MSK discomfort is common among computer users of bank employees and neck, shoulder and lower back region were at greater risk. MSK discomfort was higher in females. Workers are exposed to ergonomic hazards and need immediate improvement.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, approximately 350 million people are currently employed in the construction industry. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, pain characteristics, and associated risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers in Pakistan. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted from February to August 2019 among 666 construction workers. The data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 4 sections: demographic information, a numerical pain intensity rating scale, a Nordic questionnaire to report prevalence, and pain characteristics. SPSS was used for data entry and analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the construction workers was 34.49 years. Participants who reported pain were 397 out of 666 and 269 were those who reported no pain. The 12-month prevalence of pain among construction workers in more than one body area was 89% (n = 591) and the 7-day prevalence was 52% (n = 343); lower back pain was the most common type of pain with a 12-month prevalence of 27% (n = 180) and a 7-day prevalence of 17% (n = 112). Regarding the characteristics of the pain, 26% (173) of the workers suffered pain occasionally, 27% (180) participants had pain for≤2 hours per day, and 32.9% (219) had dull pain. Moreover, a significant relationship was found (p < 0.05) between MSDs and age, lifestyle, work experience, smoking habits, and absence from work. CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent, with lower back pain being the most commonly reported type. Absence from work and disability in performing normal daily activities have been reported as consequences of musculoskeletal pain. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of targeted preventive healthcare measures for construction workers.

Considering the economic importance of the maize Zea mays (Poales: Poaceae) crop and the losses caused by the maize stem borer, an experiment was carried out in a plot of 15 m 2 that was equally divided into three replications using randomized complete block design to find the effect of granular and liquid insecticides on Chilo partellus and crop yield. The trial was laid out at the Agricultural Research Station in Baffa, Mansehra, Pakistan during the Kharif season 2015. In this experiment, granular insecticide Carbofuran 3G and liquid insecticides Cypermethrin10 EC, Endosulfan 35 EC, Karate 2.5 EC and Chlorpyrifos 10 EC were used for treating maize stem borer. The obtained results revealed that Carbofuran 3G proved significantly to be the most effective in reducing plant damage, the number of dead heart plants and the number of pest larvae. Additionally, the treatments caused an increase in grain yield. The liquid insecticides Cypermethrin and Karate ranked second, and Endosulfan and Chlorpyrifos ranked third in efficacy against the pest. On the basis of present findings, it was recommended that the granular form of insecticides in general and Carbofuran 3G in particular may be used for effective control of C. partellus in maize crop. The granules should be applied in plant whorls, which will give better results than application through other methods. In the case of foliar applications, Cypermethrin is recommended to get effective control among other liquid formulations. Although the chemical treatments which were used in this research gave good control of C. partellus infestations and increase in yield as compared to check, some variations still occur in the amount of damage, population density of the pest and yield of crop. These differences may be due to differences in types of treatments, methods of experimentation, and environmental factors like temperature, humidity etc.

Objective The objective of this study was to assess school backpacks and associated problems across school going children aged 8–12 years in Lahore, Pakistan. Self-perceived pain related to bag pack use, correlation between self-reported pain and perceived weight of bag pack, duration of bag pack carriage and the method of bag pack carriage were evaluated. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 3500 students from different private schools across Lahore. Both male and female students from the age of 8–12 years that were present on the day of the study with no apparent physical deformity or any musculoskeletal disorder were included in the study. Questionnaire used in this study was a modified questionnaire from a previous study.Data collected through questionnaire was coded into SPSS version 18.Data was represented in the form of graphs, tables, cross tabs and bar charts. Chi square test of association was applied with p value<0.05 considered as significant. Results The results indicate that 82% of students surveyed carry bag packs, 54.66% of the students perceived the weight of their bag pack heavy, 40.22% medium while only 5.12% reported their bag pack lightly weighed. Pain was higher in individuals who perceived their bag pack weight heavy (i. e., 48%) pain, who carried their bag pack for over 20 min (44%) pain and over 30 min (56%) pain, respectively. Similarly percentage of pain was higher in individuals who carried their bag pack at one shoulder (i. e., 74%) pain. Conclusion The results of the present study show that there is a relationship between bag pack use, duration and method of bag pack carriage this suggests that heavy, medium and light bag packs may have damaging effects for the school going children. A study to compare children who follow and that do not follow the recommended guidelines should be conducted to find out the guidelines could help reduce back pain, the bag pack guidelines have addressed bag pack weight and duration of carriage should be considered.

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