A Study of Related Characteristics and Association of Some Factors Causing Neck Pain in the Constant Computer Users

Background: Use of computer has been an integral part of every setting, offices and daily life. Over use of computer has led to a number of morbidities and physical illness in recent years. In our settings there is no proper awareness and training sessions to avoid the illness due to prolonged sitting and poor posture. This study is an attempt to find the neck pain in heavy computer users and related factors. This study will help us to design a proper awareness program and an agenda Student, MCPH from Public Health School, Erasmus Campus University of Libre De Bruxells, Belgium to reduce the neck pain after knowing the basic awareness, needs and factors affecting human health. Objectives: The objective of this was to find out the related characteristics and association of some selected factors causing neck pain in the constant computer users. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi from July 2009 to December 2009. Sample size of 122 subjects from banks, call centers, Information Technology, Telecom Industry and ISPs was taken to meet our objectives. Data was collected through an e-questionnaire (close ended) suing non-probability sampling. The subjects using computer for 8 or more hours in office settings with either gender between the ages of 20 to 50 years were taken. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.74 ± 6.30 years. In this study there were 99 (81.8%) males and 23 (18.9%) females. Among all subjects, 102 (83.6%) subjects had neck pain. The pain was due to constant computer usage in 85 (69.7%) subjects. The neck pain was statistically same in both males and females, i.e. p-value 0.05. The average experience of the subjects was 3.18 ± 1.02 years. Association between the concepts possible cause of neck pain versus working hours showed p = 0.014. Association between idea about appropriate posture versus neck pain has p = 0.001. In association, awareness of proper workstation setting versus neck pain found p-value= 0.014. Moreover, statistically speaking, physical activities had no influence on neck pain in this study, i.e. pvalue 0.05. Conclusion: Neck pain in computer users is due to overwhelming of work load, lack of proper training, less awareness about the work setting and posture. Physical activities have no influence on neck pain in prolonged computer users.