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Lalita Kumari Senior Research Fellow Guru Nanak Dev University, Distt-Amritsar, 143001, Punjab (India) |
This study is an attempt toestimate prevalence of computer related health problems/musculoskeletal discomforts among college students and to investigate association of health problems/musculoskeletal discomforts with duration of computing. 300 college students were studied from Punjab state of India using computer and laptops. Majority of respondents were female, graduate and fall in 20-25 years age group, use desktop and work on computer 2-4 hours and take at least once an hour break during working on computer. Chi Square test and ‘T’ test was used to test the hypothesis. There is association between musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage and years of working on computer and between musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage and hours of working on computer. Health related problems/Musculoskeletal discomforts are independent of Gender except lower back pain which is more in females. There is no difference in Health related problems/Musculoskeletal discomforts between desktop users and Laptop users.
Keywords: Health, Computer and students
Computer use among college students has increased dramatically in the last few years. Most academic programs now require a computer and computer literacy for enrollment. In every field, one cannot think without computer work. It has decreased work load in offices, college, school and business sector. Computer has become a connecting and communicating media these days.
Computer work involves repetitive moment of upper limbs, adapted postures using laptops in bed and using desktop sitting on a chair. There are changes in musculoskeletal structures causing tightness, fatigue, neck ache other joint symptoms.
Studies done by different researchers have found that up to 80% people experience physical discomfort during or after computer work.
There is insufficient data on musculoskeletal related to computer use among Indian population. Concentrating the differences in academic schedule in college program and duration of computing, there is need to evaluate Health related and musculoskeletal complaints (MSK) related to computer use among student.
Table 1: Empirical Literature on Computer Related Health Problems.
| Author (Year) | Country | study design & Sample Size | Instrument Used | Methodology | Results of the study | |||
| Karen Jacob (2002) | New England | cross-sectional study and 6th and 7th grade students in three middle schools | survey used in the study to determine the prevalence of computer-related musculoskeletal discomfort/pain was adapted from one used by Katz, Amick, Carroll, Hollis, Fossel, & Coley (2000) in their research on the prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in college students. | Percentage and Chi-Square test | Musculoskeletal (MSC) discomfort/pain associated with computer use in adults may be prevalent throughout middle school aged students. 40% of those participants with computer-related MSC discomfort/pain reported taking a break from using the computer once an hour. This finding suggests that they may be aware of the MSC discomfort/pain and take a break to relieve this discomfort. Despite 95.3% of the students reporting spending 0-6 hours/day using a computer, the amount of time spent using the computer was not associated with musculoskeletal discomfort/pain. | |||
| Sotoyama et al .(2002) | USA | Cross Sectional Study and 100 ele-mentary, junior high, and high schools | questionnaires | Percentage | Concluded that most schools are slow in developing instructive programs about environment and ergonomics in relation to the computer workspace. Although children currently were not experiencing musculoskeletal problems, a concern for future problems with the prospected rise in use of computers in the classroom was expressed. This rise in computer use can lead to physical problems if measures are not taken to improve ergonomic positioning. | |||
| Ketola et al .(2002) | USA | Cross Sectional Study and 124 subjects | questionnaires | Percentage | More use of computer is the major cause of musculoskeletal and ergonomics education helped reduce discomfort; however, the best results were achieved by cooperative plan-ning in which both workers and practitioners were involved | |||
| Shari McMahanand Rafer Lutz (2003) | California | cross-sectional study and 512 college students | survey | Percentage, MANOVA and Regression | The most frequently reported disorders were related to eyestrain affecting nearly 85%, and upper back and neck pain affecting 70% of computer users. This study confirmed the effectiveness of training in workstation design considering that these two recommendations are among the most recommended strategies in the workstation design literature | |||
| Eric et al. (2004) | California | cross-sectional study and 206 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) graduate students | 304 graduate students randomly selected, 206 completed the questionnaire (67% participation rate) with 69% completing the questionnaire online, and 31% by telephone. | Chi-Square statistic and Univariate logistic regression | Approximately 60% of respondents reported upper extremity or neck pain attributed to computer use and reported a mean pain severity score of 4.5 (_2.2; scale 0–10). In a final logistic regression model, female gender, years of computer use, and hours of computer use per week were significantly associated with pain. The high prevalence of upper extremity pain reported by graduate students suggests a public health need to identify interventions that will reduce symptom severity and prevent impairment. | |||
| Moras et al. (2007) | USA | random-cross sectional study of 361 undergraduate students | survey | Percentage | Assess levels of discomfort, previous laptop use, major and non-musculoskeletal problems such as eye pain and headaches. Neck pain was the most common complaint, followed by upper and lower back. | |||
| Shyam Sundar Prasad Shah Dr.M.V.Shetty (2007) | India(Bangalore) | Cross sectional study and 500 college students reporting computer use | questionnaire method and interview | T-test and Chi- square test | Prevalence of computer related musculoskeletal complaints among college students were very common and there was association of musculoskeletal complaints with adverse tissue tension and duration of computing. | |||
| Muthunarayanan (2013) | India (Chennai) | cross-sectional study and 416 private university students comprising of final year Medical and Engineering (Computer science and Information technology) students studied | structured questionnaire | Percentage and Multiple Logistic Regression | Out of 416 students studied, 58% of them viewed computer at a distance of 20 to 40 inches, 61 % viewed the computer screen at the same level, 42.8% placed the reference material between monitor and key board, 24.5% tilted screen backward and 75.7% took frequent breaks to prevent CVS. Students who viewed the computer at a distance of less than 20 inches, viewed upwards or downwards to see the computer, who did not avoid glare and did not took frequent breaks were at higher risk of developing CVS. Students who did not used adjustable chair, height adjustable keyboard were at higher risk of developing neck and shoulder pain. The students who were not practicing ergonomics principle and did not check posture and make ergonomic alteration were at higher risk of developing CVS. | |||
| Venkatesan et al.(2012) | Malaysia | A cross-sectional study was performed among 200 college students aged 19-27 years using random sampling, two surveys | Questionnaire | Percentage and Correlation analysis | About 88% (149/170) of the respondents reported musculoskeletal complaints in the two weeks prior to completing the survey. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher in female 90% than in male students 76%. Although there was no statistically significant association between the type of computer and musculoskeletal pain, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher for students using laptop ( 90% ) when compared to those using both desktop and laptop and desktop only (87 and 86%) respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation for musculoskeletal pain with hours of computer use per day, type of computer used and level of physical activity. | |||
| Chavda et al. (2013) | India (Gujarat) |
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Self-reporting Questionnaire | Percentage |
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| Bansal et al.(2013) | India ( SURAT ) | cross sectional study of 290 selected students of information technology in various college | an interviewer-administered questionnaire | Percentage | prevalence of the symptoms like watering in eyes, eye strain, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and many other problems which were common among the students and become more persistent with the increase in hours of work and study also examined gender variations | |||
| Peter et al. (2014) | College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA | convenience sample and 260 graduate students | questionnaire | paired t-test for equality of means including an independent samples test and analysis using ANOVA | Results showed that subjects demonstrated a statistically significant im-provement in ergonomics knowledge after they completed the ergonomic educational session. Some participants reported making adaptations to laptop positioning and equipment use fol-lowing the educational session. Thus, partici-pating in ergonomic education can positively influence awareness of body mechanics relative to laptop workstation design |
Source: Compiled from various studies
Objectives of Study
Source of Data: 300 College students of Punjab state.
Definition of Study Subjects: College students using computer (laptop and desktop).
INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Exclusion Criteria:
Sample Design: Sample of convenience
Method Of Collection Data: Survey by questionnaire method.
Sample – Size: 300 college and universities students reporting computer use.
Parameters used for comparison and statistical analysis used: The collected data is analyzed by Percentage, chi – square test and t – test.
Duration of study: one week (March to June, 2015)
Methodology: Survey was done in different colleges conducting computer related courses. Questionnaire was distributed among students to measure computer related health problems/musculoskeletal discomforts. Student reporting computer related health problems/musculoskeletal discomforts were asked questions in survey to obtain details in nature, distribution, duration and other contributing factors.
Sample characteristics
Table 2: Demographic Profile of Respondents
| Demographic Variables | No. of Respondents (%) | |
| Gender | Male | 138(46) |
| Age (Yrs) | Female | 162(54) |
| 15-20 Years | 72 (24) | |
| 20-25 years | 126(42) | |
| 25-30 Years | 66(22) | |
| 30 -35 Years | 36(12) | |
| Education Level | Under Graduate | 84 (28) |
| Graduate | 114(38) | |
| Post Graduate | 54(18) | |
| Research Schloar | 48(16) | |
As far as the demographic profile of the respondents is concerned, the sample comprised of variety of respondents belonging to different educational background. The demographic background of the sampled respondents is presented in Table no. 2. Table reveals that majority of respondents were female. The table also shows that the majority of the respondents (42%) belonged to the age group of 20-25 years of age. The next largest category comprised of respondents between 15-20 years of age (27 %). The next category of respondents was of the age group of 25-30 years (22%), while those falling in the age category of 30-35 formed just 12% of the sample. It brings out that 38% of the respondents were graduates followed by under graduates (28%). The next category comprised of respondents who were post graduates (18%).While 16 % of the respondents’ perusing doctoral degree.
Table: 3 Type of Computer Used for browsing/typing/downloading
| Computer Used for browsing/typing/downloading | Frequency | Percentage |
| Desktop | 180 | 60 |
| Laptop | 120 | 40 |
| Total | 3000 | 100 |
Table 3 indicates that 60 per cent of respondents were used desktop and 40 percent were used Laptop for browsing/typing/downloading.
Table 4: Years of Working on Desktop/Laptop
| Years of Working on Desktop/Laptop | Frequency | Percentage |
| <3 Years | 72 | 24 |
| 3-6 Years | 126 | 42 |
| 6-9 Years | 60 | 20 |
| 9-12 Years | 18 | 6 |
| 12-15 Years | 24 | 8 |
| >15 Years | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 300 | 100 |
Table 4 indicates that majority of respondents were working on desktop/Laptop for 3 -6 years, followed by <3 years, followed by 6-9 years, 12-15 years and 9-12 years.
Table 5 Hours of work on Computer/Laptop per day
| Hours of work on Computer/Laptop per day | Frequency | Percentage |
| 0-2 Hours | 54 | 18 |
| 2-4 Hours | 138 | 46 |
| 4-6 Hours | 66 | 22 |
| 6-8 Hours | 30 | 10 |
| 8+ Hours | 12 | 4 |
| Total | 300 | 100 |
Table 5 indicates majority (46 per cent) of respondents were work 2-4 hours per day on computer, followed by 4-6 hours, 0-2 hours and 6-8 hours. While just 4 per cent work more than 8 hours.
Table 6 Frequency of taking breaks from working on the computer
| Frequency of taking breaks from working on the computer | Frequency | Percent |
| More than once an hour | 24 | 8 |
| Only after 2 hours work | 18 | 6 |
| Once every 1-2 hours | 60 | 20 |
| At least once an hour | 126 | 42 |
| Never | 72 | 24 |
Table 6 indicates majority (42 per cent) of respondents took break at least once an hour, followed by never (24 per cent) Once every 1-2 hours (20 per cent) , More than once an hour (8 per cent), Only after 2 hours work (6 per cent).
Table: 7 Position of computer screen
| Position of computer screen | Frequency | Percentage |
| At same level | 150 | 50 |
| Upward | 102 | 34 |
| Downward | 48 | 16 |
Table 7 indicates majority 50 per cent keep their computer screen at same level. While 16 per cent keep computer screen downward.
Table: 8 Place of reference material while typing
| Place of reference material while typing | Frequency | Percentage |
| Between Monitor/screen and Keyboard | 10 | 20 |
| Above the Monitor/screen | 17 | 34 |
| Sides of the Monitor/screen | 23 | 46 |
Table 8 indicates the place of reference material while typing on computer. Majority (46 per cent) respond they kept it sides of the monitor/screen, 34 per cent kept Above the Monitor/screen and 20 per cent kept Between Monitor/screen and Keyboard.
Table 9 Body Posture during using desktop/Laptop
| Posture | Yes (%) | No (%) | Total |
| Thigh horizontal | 192(64) | 108(36) | 300 |
| Feet on floor or on foot rest | 192(64) | 108(36) | 300 |
| Lower leg kept vertical | 198(66) | 102(34) | 300 |
| Arms and forearms at right angle | 192(64) | 108(36) | 300 |
| Wrist rest on keyboard | 210(70) | 90(30) | 300 |
Table 9 reveals that body posture during using desktop/laptop. Majority of respondents respond that they kept Thigh horizontal, Feet on floor or on foot rest, Lower leg kept vertical, Arms and forearms at right angle and wrist rest on keyboard.
Chi-Square test
Table 10 Association between suffered /suffering from any musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage and years of working on Desktop/Laptop
| 3-6 Years | 6-9 Years | 9-12 Years | 12-15 Years | >15 Years | |||
| suffered /suffering from any musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage | Yes | 18 | 36 | 42 | 78 | 108 | 282 |
| No | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | |
| Total | 24 | 48 | 42 | 78 | 108 | 300 | |
| Contingency Coefficient (Approx. Sig.).039 | |||||||
Table 11 indicates the relationship between the existence of computer-related health/musculoskeletal discomfort/pain and years spent using a computer was made on the basis of student’s report of Desktop/Laptop use from “Years of working on Computer/Laptop). Chi-square analysis (Contingency Coefficient=.499) showed that the correlation between health related/ musculoskeletal discomfort/pain and the reported years of working on computer was significant (p>.05). Therefore, there is association between musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage and years of working on computer.
Table 11 Association between suffered /suffering from any musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage and years of working on Desktop/Laptop
| hours of work on Computer/Laptop | Total | ||||||
| 0-2 Hours | 2-4 Hours | 4-6 Hours | 6-8 Hours | 8+ Hours | |||
| suffered /suffering from any musculoskeletal problems due to Computer Usage | Yes | 18 | 78 | 60 | 24 | 30 | 228 |
| No | 42 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | |
| Total | 78 | 108 | 60 | 24 | 30 | 300 | |
| Contingency Coefficient (Approx. Sig.) .014 | |||||||
The relationship between the existence of computer-related musculoskeletal discomfort/pain and time spent using a computer was made based on student’s report of Desktop/Laptop use in a “typical” day (0-2 hours/day, 2-4 hours/day, 4-6 hours/day, 6-8 hours/day or 8+ hours /day). Chi-square analysis (Contingency Coefficient=.014) indicated that the correlation between health related/musculoskeletal problems and the reported number of hours per day of computer use was significant (p>.05). Therefore, there is association between problems due to computer usage and hours of work on computer.
Table 12 Independent Samples t-Test
| Levene's Test for Equality of Variances | t-test for Equality of Means | ||||||||||||||
| F | Sig. | t | df | Sig. (2-tailed) | Mean Difference | Std. Error Difference | 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference | ||||||||
| Lower | Upper | ||||||||||||||
| Finger pain, wrist & hand pain | Equal variances assumed | .027 | .870 | -.110 | 102 | .913 | -.02564 | .23313 | -.48806 | .43677 | |||||
| Shoulder, Elbow pain & arms pain | Equal variances assumed | .462 | .498 | .174 | 102 | .862 | .03846 | .22053 | -.39896 | .47588 | |||||
| Numbness/tingling over hand | Equal variances assumed | .476 | .492 | .851 | 102 | .397 | .17949 | .21083 | -.23869 | .59767 | |||||
| Neck pain | Equal variances assumed | .006 | .939 | -.517 | 102 | .606 | -.11538 | .22323 | -.55816 | .32739 | |||||
| Back pain | Equal variances assumed | .000 | 1.000 | -.481 | 102 | .632 | -.11538 | .24009 | -.59161 | .36084 | |||||
| Lower backache | Equal variances not assumed | .245 | .022 | -2.438 | 56.166 | .012 | -.44872 | .17313 | -.79552 | -.10192 | |||||
| Leg pain | Equal variances assumed | 1.132 | .290 | .652 | 102 | .516 | .14103 | .21622 | -.28784 | .56990 | |||||
| Thigh pain | Equal variances assumed | .006 | .940 | -.064 | 102 | .949 | -.01282 | .19908 | -.40770 | .38206 | |||||
| Knee pain | Equal variances assumed | .100 | .753 | -.937 | 102 | .351 | -.21795 | .23259 | -.67929 | .24340 | |||||
| Numbness/tingling over feet | Equal variances assumed | .000 | .998 | .220 | 102 | .827 | .05128 | .23346 | -.41179 | .51435 | |||||
| Burning feet | Equal variances assumed | 1.181 | .280 | 1.294 | 102 | .199 | .29487 | .22789 | -.15714 | .74689 | |||||
| Table 12 (i) Group Statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Gender | N | Mean | Std. Deviation | Std. Error Mean | |||||||||||
| Lower backache | Male | 138 | 1.5769 | .70274 | .13782 | ||||||||||
| Female | 162 | 2.0256 | .92546 | .10479 | |||||||||||
Table 12 shows that H0 (3) is rejected partially in case of “Lower backache” significance value is less than 0.05(p<0.05). As table 12 (i) show mean value of female respondents is more than male counterparts so it can be said female are suffering more from Lower backache as compared to their male counterpart respondents.
Table 13 Independent t –test
| Levene's Test for Equality of Variances | t-test for Equality of Means | |||||||||
| F | Sig. | t | df | Sig. (2-tailed) | Mean Difference | Std. Error Difference | 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference | |||
| Lower | Upper | |||||||||
| Shoulder, Elbow pain & arms pain | Equal variances assumed | 1.213 | .276 | .402 | 48 | .690 | .20652 | .51398 | -.82689 | 1.23994 |
| Numbness/tingling over hand | Equal variances assumed | .605 | .440 | -.723 | 48 | .473 | -.33696 | .46627 | -1.27445 | .60053 |
| Equal variances assumed | 2.301 | .136 | -.525 | 3.251 | .633 | -.33696 | .64194 | -2.29347 | 1.61956 | |
| Neck pain | Equal variances assumed | 2.301 | .136 | .855 | 48 | .397 | .44565 | .52123 | -.60234 | 1.49365 |
| Back pain | Equal variances assumed | 1.811 | .185 | -.399 | 48 | .691 | -.21739 | .54427 | -1.31172 | .87694 |
| Lower backache | Equal variances assumed | .295 | .589 | -.323 | 48 | .748 | -.17391 | .53790 | -1.25544 | .90761 |
| Leg pain | Equal variances assumed | 6.800 | .312 | .212 | 48 | .833 | .10870 | .51284 | -.92243 | 1.13982 |
| Thigh pain | Equal variances assumed | 1.002 | .322 | 1.298 | 48 | .200 | .67391 | .51916 | -.36992 | 1.71775 |
| Knee pain | Equal variances assumed | 4.642 | .436 | 1.489 | 48 | .143 | .79348 | .53290 | -.27799 | 1.86495 |
| Numbness/tingling over feet | Equal variances assumed | .565 | .456 | .247 | 48 | .806 | .13043 | .52786 | -.93089 | 1.19176 |
| Burning feet | Equal variances assumed | .313 | .579 | -.534 | 48 | .596 | -.27174 | .50880 | -1.29475 | .75127 |
Table 13 indicates that p>0.05 so H0 (4) is not rejected therefore, There is no difference in Health related problems/Musculoskeletal discomforts between desktop users and Laptop users.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.40.135
http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.642
