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Visual display terminal use increases the prevalence and risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese
Shanshan Wu1, Lihua He, Jingyun Li
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University.
Objectives:
Little is known about work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among computer users mainland China. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WMSDs in office workers in Beijing, and to determine risk factors for WMSDs in the neck (WMSDs-N).
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was delivered to 720 office workers who use a computer as a main working tool. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for risk factors.
Results:
The prevalence of WMSDs of the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, upper back and low back amongst office workers were 55.5, 50.7, 31.5, 26.2 and 6.6%, respectively. Both individual risk factor and working condition factors were found to be independently related to WMSDs-N.
Conclusions:
The WMSDs prevalence rates among office workers in Beijing, China, were high. The most affected area was the neck. Preventive measures for office work should be focused on the neck (e.g., rest breaks).