Musculoskeletal pains, eye symptoms and associated factors among office workers: a cross-sectional study from Turkey

Objectives. This study aimed to identify potential health problems and ergonomic risks that office workers face. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted among Ankara Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports office workers. The dependent variables of the study were musculoskeletal complaints and eye problems. Independent variables included gender, age, total and weekly working time, smoking, alcohol consumption, perceived health, burnout, working conditions and workplace ergonomic risks. The study successfully reached 251 office workers, achieving a response rate of 95.4%. Results. The participants spend an average of 5.79 h per day in front of their computers. The most common musculoskeletal disorders were neck pain (59.0%) and back pain (51.0%). Eye problems, such as itching, redness or watering, were reported by 45.8%. More than half of the participants reported not engaging in any form of exercise during work. Differences existed in back pain according to emotional and physical burnout, perceived health, and chair adjustability; and itching, redness and watering in the eyes according to the screen positioning at an appropriate distance. Conclusion. The findings highlight the importance of addressing musculoskeletal and eye issues among office workers. Integrating ergonomics into health and safety training can help employees mitigate hazards, promoting a healthier workplace.