Volume : 6, Issue : 2, February - 2017

CORRELATION OF POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS OF NECK PAIN WITH NECK DISABILITY IN COMPUTERPROFESSIONALS

Salima Bijapuri, Mihir Thaker

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;BACKGROUND: The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems increasing among computer professionals in India. Neck pain is the leading musculoskeletal problem with high prevalence rate among computer professionals.Neck pain leads to decreased work performances, absenteeism from work or increased sick leaves, disability which affects activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: Aim of our study is to correlate the risk factors of neck pain with neck disability among IT professionals in software companies in Hubli and Dharwad.METHOD: 250 IT professionals were interviewed. 235 subjects met the inclusion criteria. They were assessed on various scales like RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) for working posture, neck pain and neck disability respectively. Data was analyzed using Chi Square test.RESULT: Results of the study revealed that total percentage of neck pain was 31%. And percentages of moderate and severe disability were 6.4% and 2.1 % respectively. Percentages of subjects with moderate neck disability having RULA score &lsquo;acceptable&rsquo; were 1.7%, &lsquo;investigate further&rsquo; were 9.3% and &lsquo;investigate and change soon&rsquo; were 27.3%. Percentages of subjects with severe neck disability having RULA score 5 &amp; 6 were 45.4%. Percentages of subjects having moderate neck disability with the habit of taking eaks were 3.9% and without the habit taking eaks were 25%. Percentages of subjects having severe neck disability with the habit of taking eaks were 0.4% and without the habit taking eaks were 14.3%.CONCLUSION: RULA score and habit of taking eaks during working hours were positively correlated with both neck disability and neck pain. Gender, BMI, Days of computer work in a week and type of computer were positively correlated with neck pain. Hence posture correction, overall fitness maintenance and other appropriate ergonomic measures must be followed to prevent musculoskeletal problems of neck region in computer professionals.</p>