Ergonomics Risk Assessment and Ergonomics Factors among Computer Users in Tambon Health Promoting Hospital, Nongkhai Province

Abstract

Awkward posture and maintained working cause neck, shoulder and back pain
among computer users. This cross-sectional analytic study aimed to assess ergonomics risk
by RULA and ergonomics risk factors among computer users in Tambon health promoting
hospital, Nongkhai province. Subjects were 145 computer users from systematic random
sampling. Data were collected by the structural questionnaires, the ergonomics risk
assessment by RULA for computer users and illuminance measurements. Descriptive statistics
and inferential statistics were used for data analyses. Ergonomics risk factors were identified
by simple logistic regression at 95% confidence interval. The results showed that computer
users in Tambon health promoting hospital exposed to awkward posture of upper arm
upraising (73.1%), neck flexion (62.8%) and wrist bending upward (57.2%). The total RULA
scores were predominantly fallen at high risk level (33.8%), and very high risk level (29.7%).
Most workstations had insufficient lighting intensity (<600 Lux). Factors of high to very high
ergonomics risk level, upper arm raising and neck flexion were significantly correlated with
neck, shoulder and back pain (p< 0.05). In conclusions, computer users in Tambon health
promoting hospital were exposed to the ergonomic factors which correlated with neck,
shoulder and back pain. Therefore, the ergonomics training should be promoted and
computer workstations should be well designed for computer work in order to prevent
neck shoulder and back pain.