Volume : 7, Issue : 5, May - 2018

USE OF DIGITAL GADGETS AND ASSOCIATED CHIEF MUSCULOSKELETAL AND VISUAL COMPLAINS AMONG MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES IN A COLLEGE OF DELHI

Dr. Akanksha Tomar, Dr. Bratati Banerjee, Dr. G. K. Ingle

Abstract :

BACKGROUND:Digitalisation is nowindispensable.Medical undergraduates,thought of not being much involved with technology like hard core technical streams, are rampantly using these devices, hence assessing the implications of these devices on them is necessary.<o:p></o:p> AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of Digital devices (computers/laptops and cell-phones)on the physical health of the users, against self-reported duration of the devices. <o:p></o:p> MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried among medical undergraduates. Sample size was calculated to be 781. All students aged 18 years and above, were included. A pretested anonymous semi structured proformawith validated tools (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for Musculoskeletal Symptoms, semi-structured visual questionnaire) was used. Schirmer’s I test was done.Duration was considered in terms of average daily use (≤ 6 hours/day or > 6 hours/day) and past years spent using these devices (≤ 5 years or > 5 years).Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17.<o:p></o:p> RESULTS: Final analysis could be done on 800 participants. Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSDs) ofneck (55.19%), lower back (49.55%), and upper back (31.16%) was more among frequent users, unlike shoulder (31.10%) and knee (12.53%)MSDs,reported more among those with lesser daily use.MSDs could not be attributed to past years of use. Retro-orbital pain (48.32%) was more among frequent users,while watering (59.50%) and double vision (16.74%) were frequentin those withlesser use. Tired eyes (80.28%) was more among past users, contrary, blurred vision (54.16%) was more among recent users. Duration of daily use was significantly attributing to the presence of dry eyes (47/51) while visual acuity showed no such association.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> CONCLUSION:Benefit of these devices could be severely undermined if abuse and overuse are not kept in check. Physical symptoms, often determined by the ergonomic conditions, but screen time may add the personal risk.<o:p></o:p>

Keywords :

Digital device Physical Health Musculoskeletal disorder Computer Vision Syndrome.

Article:

Download PDF Journal DOI : 10.15373/2249555X

Cite This Article:

Dr. Akanksha Tomar, Dr. Bratati Banerjee, Dr. G.K. Ingle, USE OF DIGITAL GADGETS AND ASSOCIATED CHIEF MUSCULOSKELETAL AND VISUAL COMPLAINS AMONG MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES IN A COLLEGE OF DELHI, GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS : Volume-7 | Issue-5 | May-2018