[Evaluation of computer users' heath on the wrong postures and ergonomy of the equipment in medical sciences university of Guilan]

ABSTRACT

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important health problems in the developing and industrial countries. One of the main factors in musculoskeletal disorders is the awkward postures with computers at work. To prevent the WMSDs and to maintain the employees' health, ergonomy is a useful approach to this. Ergonomy, makes it possible to arrange and adapt the environment, instruments and equipment of the office and home, according to one's abilities and features. Since 1980s that the first PCs were sold to people, many jobs have been created relating to computers. If the safety principles are to be neglected, some of the disorders resulting from the non-stop working with computers will lead to high risks for the health and will cause mental and physical inconveniences in the long-term. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the health of the staff, to study the work consequences of computer users and also to study the quality of the equipment and the conditions of the work place. In this study, RULA [the method for fast evaluation of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper organs] was used. 50 computer users in the central office of Guilan University of medical sciences were evaluated. The equipment and the environment were analyzed as well. The results of RULA were analyzed using statistical tests. 46 cases [92%] had the RULA as 3 to 4 and 4 cases [8%] had the scores of 5 to 6. This shows the wrong seating of the users. No meaningful statistical relationship or difference were seen in gender; age; educational levels; job tenure [years]; satisfaction with the workplace and the results of RULA method score, but a statistical relationship between BMI and long working hours [hour/day] and the results of RULA score were seen [P=0.01, P=0.026]. Despite the beautiful design of the employees' chairs, they were not following the standard. The seating, theirs heights and the status of the backs, the position of the monitors and the interference of the lights with the monitor screens were all the major examples of the inappropriateness of the equipment. Most of the pain and inconveniences were in the neck and shoulders [60%] and the Lumbago [26%] and the legs [24%], the back [24%] and finally then eyes [18%]