ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of this paper is to present the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among computer operators and its association with the body posture at the workplace as well as break time usage during the working hours. Study Design: The paper represents a cross sectional study which includes computer operators. Place and Duration of Study: Municipality, administrative department in combine, elementary and high schools and IT in software developing company. The duration of the study was 12 months. Methodology: The survey included 800 computer operators. For detection of musculoskeletal symptoms among computer workers Nordic standardized questionnaire was administrated and Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ) registered the body posture during the working time and the quality of the break. Results: 28% of participants have claimed musculoskeletal symptoms. As of the total number with registered symptoms, 57% were females and the average age was 41.91±11.72 years. Positive correlation coefficient was obtained between the neck pain and taking the setting same position during working hours, sitting with arms raised for more than 2 hours, performing repetitive tasks, holding the head in a bent position and placement of the body in asymmetric position. During the testing of cross-correlation regarding the musculoskeletal symptoms and the usage of break at work, there is a positive coefficient received between the neck and shoulder pain within the inability to use break of 10 min after 2 hours of work at the computer, not planning the break with the symptoms in the shoulder and wrist, and the insufficient break usage with the shoulder symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in computer operators in Republic of Macedonia show that it is not high leveled. According to the research of muscle-skeletal system disorder at computer workers it is shown that the most frequent are the symptoms in the neck area and shoulders.