Associations between neck musculoskeletal complaints and work related factors among public service computer workers in Kaunas

Abstract

Objectives: Information technologies have been developing very rapidly, also in the case of occupational activities. Epide miological studies have shown that employees, who work with computers, are more likely to complain of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between neck MSD and individual and work related factors. Materials and Methods: The investigation which consisted of two parts -a questionnaire study (using Nordic Mus culoskeletal questionnaire and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) and a direct observation (to evaluate ergonomic work environment using RULA method) was carried out in three randomly selected public sector companies of Kaunas. The study population consisted of 513 public service office workers. Results: The survey showed that neck MSDs were very common in the investigated population. The prevalence rate amounted to 65.7%. According to our survey neck MSDs were significantly associated with older age, bigger work experience, high quantitative and cognitive job demands, working for longer than 2 h without taking a break as well as with higher ergonomic risk score. The fully adjusted model working for longer than 2 h without taking a break had the strongest associations with neck complaints. Conclusion: It was confirmed, that neck MSDs were significantly associated with individual factors as well as conditions of work, therefore, preventive ac tions against neck complaints should be oriented at psychosocial and ergonomic work environment as well as at individual factors. Key words: Computer work, The neck MDSs, Psychosocial factors, ErgonomicsThe study is a part of an epidemiologic research "Ergonomics of computer work and its interface with the psychosocial work environment", carried out in the Depart ment of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at LUHS MA in 2010.

Work with visual display units and musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study

“…Despite the fact that similar estimates for the European Union (EU) countries are not available, several crosssectional studies performed in Europe have reported a prevalence of 30-62% of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck or shoulder region studies, and suggest that referred complaints would increase with age and working age, being more prevalent among women than men [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. However, as this same difference has been identified in the general working population, its causative association may be doubtful [13][14][15].…”

“…Not coincidentally, are WMSDs, and particularly neck and back pain and upper-limb symptoms therefore interpreted as common health problems with a multifactorial aetiology, including mixed, prolonged and often ill-defined exposures over a long period of time [5][6][7][10][11]. Moreover, as a large number of epidemiological studies about WMSDs amongst VDU workers are based on self-referred symptoms, the lack of clinical evaluation data, the possible risk is the overreporting of musculoskeletal complaints inconsistently associated [1,8,[10][11][12][13]. Besides, studies about WMSDs often lack accurate evaluation of personal medical history, failing to refer to previous acute traumas or systemic diseases [13,21].…”

Efeitos De Uma Intervenção Ergonômica, Baseada No Ajuste Dos Postos De Trabalho Em Relação Ao Estresse, Fadiga, Bem Estar E Sintomas Musculoesqueléticos

“…No entanto, a postura sentada favorece a ocorrência de problemas na coluna, associados à fraqueza dos músculos abdominais e do tronco. Além disso, há associações de lesões musculoesqueléticas de pescoço com maior experiência de trabalho, alta sobrecarga muscular e exigências cognitivas sem pausas adequadas (KALINIENE et al 2013).…”

“…Vale ressaltar que as intervenções ergonômicas devem ser implementadas de acordo com as necessidades de cada trabalhador, levando em consideração os fatores biomecânicos e organizacionais (GONÇALVES, 1995;KALINIENE et al, 2013).…”

Applications of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire: A Review

“…Finally, Kaliniene et al [216] collected data using the NMQ, the Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire, and RULA for workers in three companies in the public sector who used a computer. The results confirmed that the neck disorders were associated with individual factors and with the work conditions, calling for ergonomic improvements.…”