Ergonomic risk with Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain among Computer Users at Tambon Health Promoting Hospitals in Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

The cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to study the neck, shoulder and back
pain (NSB pain), ergonomics risks and factors associated with NSB pain among computer
users at Tambon health promoting hospitals in Mahasarakham Province, who used computer
at least 4 hours per day. Data were collected from 244 workers by using a questionnaire
and ergonomic risk assessment by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) for computer
users. Results showed that the majority of workers had the highest prevalence of shoulder
pain(24.18%). Ergonomic risk level was very high(66.80%), followed by a moderate level
(19.67%) and a high level (12.30%). All workstations had lighting intensity lower 400 lux
(90.16%). The factors associated with neck, shoulders and back pain were chair without
rotation, chair without armrests and the lighting intensity at computer workstations <400
lux. This study indicated the high risk of neck, shoulder and back pain among computer
users at Tambon health promoting hospitals. There should be development of computer
workstations, particularly, chair and lighting intensity. The modification working posture
following principles of ergonomics to prevent the neck, shoulders and back pain is
suggested.