Association between Duration of Daily Visual Display Terminal Work and Sleep Disorders among Statistics Center Staff in Iran

Background: Computers have become ubiquitous in the workplace offices and since computerized jobs are more sedentary, requiring more cognitive processing, mental attention and less physical expenditure of energy, many jobs that require heavy computer use have been found to be stressful. Methods: Three hundred and sixty two clerks of national statistics centre of Iran participated in this analytic cross-sectional study. All the employees that had worked with computer during the previous three months were enrolled. The subjects with diseases affecting the patient’s sleep were excluded. In addition to demographic variables, for assessment of insomnia, we designed a questionnaire consisting of 20 items. Results: Among 362 subjects, Male and female distribution was equal (Mean age: 35.27±8.48 years, range: 20- 65 years). The most common degree was bachelor (40.6%). We couldn’t find any significant changes with respect to well-being during the day, final awakening earlier than desired, functioning during the day and with increasing the hours of working with computer. Conclusion: An association was observed between the duration of daily visual display terminal work and each of the eight sleep-related symptoms on the AIS, such as difficulty in falling asleep and early awakening.