Musculoskeletal Disorders, Computer Vision Syndrome and the Quality of Life among Banking Staff in Nepal

Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and Computer vision syndrome (CVS) are workrelated health problems affecting people of working-age, which result in loss of productivity and quality of life. Objective To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and computer vision syndrome and their association with quality of life among the banking staff of Nepal. Method A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 207 banking staff of the banks of Kathmandu. We used cluster random sampling to recruit the study participants. Musculoskeletal disorders was defined as pain or discomfort in one of nine body parts during the past 12 months using the English version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E). Computer vision syndrome was defined as the presence of any visual symptoms like dry eye, excessive tearing, eye irritation, etc. at least once during the past 12 months. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed through the SF-36 questionnaire. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine the association of musculoskeletal disorders and computer vision syndrome with Quality of life. Result The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and computer vision syndrome were 65% and 92% respectively. The participants with musculoskeletal disorders were twice likely to have poor physical Quality of life (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.20-4.58), while those with Computer vision syndrome were ten times likely to have low physical Quality of life (10.42, CI: 1.29-84.09). Conclusion Musculoskeletal disorders and computer vision syndrome were common among the bank workers in Nepal and are found associated with poor physical Quality of life. This calls for strategies emphasizing ergonomics and regular job shifting.