Repetitive strain injury (rsi) among computer users: a case study in telecommunication company

ABSTRACT

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most common occupational injury faced by computer users. Computer users faced higher possibility of getting RSI due to their prolonged working time and static posture. The three main objectives of this study are, first to identify the prevalence of RSI among computer users; second, to investigate and determine the RSI risk factors; and third to analyze the association between RSI risk factors and the prevalence of RSI among computer users at a Telecommunication Company X. A total of 100 respondents were selected based on their daily exposure to computer usage of more than 4 hours. Nordic modified questionnaire was used to gather respondents’ sociodemographic data, job’s information, physical risk exposure, physical symptoms and their awareness level towards RSI. Body Parts Symptoms Survey (BPSS) form were also used to identify the body parts exposed to the RSI risk among computer users. The data was analysed using Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Study results showed that the 41% of computer users in Telecommunication Company X felt tired at the upper-back near the neck and 38% at the shoulder region. In conclusion, the prevalence of RSI among computer users is high at upper back near the neck and at the shoulder region. There is a significant association between risk factors of RSI and the prevalence of RSI among the computer users at Telecommunication Company X.