[Association between duration of daily visual display terminal [VDT] use and sleep disturbances among bank tellers in Sanandaj-Kurdistan of Iran in 2010-2011]

ABSTRACT

Visual display terminals [VDT] are standard equipment for many office workers. Their use, however, may increase the risk of developing adverse conditions related to vision, the musculoskeletal system, and mental health such as insomnia. In this study, we examined the relationship between duration of daily VDT use and insomnia in bank tellers. In this cross-sectional study, 382 bank tellers working with VDT who met our inclusion criteria were selected randomly. Their demographic data, sleep quality, and stress information were collected by AIS and DCM model questionnaires. We used SPSS 15 software for data processing. Chi-square and independent t-test were used for data analysis. The results showed that the insomnia symptoms score were significantly higher in the participants using VDT more than 6 hours/day [P<0.001]. To protect bank tellers from VDT adverse effects, we recommend restriction of daily work time in these terminals to less than 6 hours, and planning for work-rest periodic times during working shift