An Assessment of Erognomic Work Stations and Pain among Computer Users in a Nigerian University Community

Abstract

Background and Objective: Computer usage is a trend in technology advancement that is common with virtually all jobs and it predisposes all users to avoidable musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed at determining Computer Workstation (CW) ergonomics among computer users in ObafemiAwolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Also the distributions of musculoskeletal pain experienced by computers users were determined.

Methods: One hundred and fifty (150) participants were recruited using cluster sampling technique. Participants must have been users for 6 months, working l5hours per week .The participant's bio-data were recorded and CW were identified and measured for footrest, casters, keyboard height, seat height, monitor height, seat back angle and arm angle. They were asked if they were experiencing pain, its location and cause. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Results obtained showed that 23 (15.3%) ofthe CW had 5 casters, and just 3 (2%) had footrests while there were, 130 (86.7%) and 104 (69.3%) with ideal chair and keyboard heights respectively. Also, there were 130 (86.7%) and 136 (90%) with ideal monitor height and seat back angle respectively. Results showed that 105 (70%) of the participants experienced pain and mostly (52.4 % of the 70%) in the back with mean pain intensity 7 on a 10 point pain scale. Participants; (38) 25.3%, believed that CW arrangement was the cause of the pain.

Conclusion: This study concluded that majority of the CW did not meet the standard description of CW and majority ofthe computer had pain in the low back as at the time of study.

Keywords: Ergonomic workstation, Computer users, Musculoskeletal Pain, Nigerian University