An Ergonomic Study on Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Information Technology (IT) Professionals Working from Home in COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 Pandemic made working from home a necessity for IT professionals and computer users. Prolong working hours in confined or awkward posture leads to musculoskeletal injuries. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of work-related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) and ergonomic limitations of computer users from IT background working from home due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Eighteen subjects from IT Industry between 25 and 35 years were randomly selected for this study. A Workstation checklist and a Modified Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess the present workplace at home and prevalence of discomfort or pain. The postural analysis was performed using the standardised protocol of Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA). The study indicated that IT professionals working from home had an increased likelihood of developing work-related musculoskeletal injury primarily in neck, Shoulder, wrist, elbow and lower back. About 49% of the subjects were respondent to discomfort or pain. 28% of the subject felt moderate low back pain and 44% experienced mild low back pain, 50% were having neck discomfort and 44% underwent both. RULA scores of IT professionals indicated the risk of development of musculoskeletal injury. IT was also revealed that 65% of the subjects were unaware of work ergonomics and 17% of subjects followed work ergonomics. It may be concluded that lower back discomfort and pain in upper extremities are the major health issues, occurred prevalently among the IT professional during working from home without an ergonomic workplace during COVID 19. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.