Computer-related health problems among ... - Allied Academies

Biomedical Research 2018; 29 (11): 2405-2415

ISSN 0970-938X www.biomedres.info

Computer-related health problems among university students in Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen1*, Hariraja Muthusamy1, Mazen Alqahtani1, Mohamed Waly2,3, Abdul Khadar Jilani4 1Department

of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia 2Department

of Medical Equipment Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia 3Higher

Institute for Engineering, El Shorouk Academy, Cairo, Egypt

4Computer

Science and Information Technology College, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Introduction: The increased reliance on computer results in crucial health issues among the users. This research aimed to study the prevalence and factors associated with Computer-related health problems among University students in Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: 146 students were selected for this cross-sectional study using conveniencesampling technique. Data regarding personal characteristics, computer usage and prevalence of Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), Visual symptoms and sleep disorders were collected by a valid, reliable and self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of MSDs (any one body region), Visual symptoms (any one symptom) and sleep disorders was 52.7%, 54.8% and 56.8% respectively. Female gender, Laptop use without external mouse and inadequate breaks were associated with MSDs (P1 month to 6 months, or >6 months)?” MSD frequency was evaluated by the question “How many times have you had the pain or discomfort (once every 6 months or less, once every 2-3 months, once a month, once a week, or more often than once a week)?” Participants need to provide appropriate responses for questions related to affected body region if any. The study participants were asked to report any visual symptoms (headache, burning eyes, redness, and double vision, focusing problem and eye fatigue) experienced while using computer at either university or home within the past 12 months. They were requested to tick whether they had experienced the symptoms, almost never (2 times in a year or less), rarely (once every 2-3 months), sometimes (once in a month), regularly (once in a week) or almost always (daily) during or after computer use. Each symptom was dichotomized into “yes” (sometimes, frequently or almost always) and “no” (almost never or rarely) responses. The sleep disorders (Insomnia) were screened using Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). The AIS is a valid and reliable tool to screen sleep disturbances and to determine clinically substantial insomnia. Out of eight AIS items, the first five addresses participant's night-time symptoms (difficulty in sleep initiation, difficulty in maintaining sleep and early morning awakening) and last three items addresses the daytime impact due of sleep disturbances (wellbeing, functioning capacity and daytime sleepiness). The subjects should respond to the items if they faced any sleep disturbances at least weekly thrice during the preceding month. The total score ranged from 0 to 24. The score ‘‘≥ 6’’ is considered as presence of insomnia [22,23].

Statistical analysis The data were analysed using SPSS for Windows. Descriptive statistics was performed for personal characteristics and computer usage. The prevalence of MSDs (for each body region) was determined by considering the number of

Biomed Res 2018 Volume 29 Issue 11

Computer-related health problems among university students in Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia participants affected in that body region and dividing it by the total number of participants who answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of visual symptoms calculated, by including the student population with the existing symptoms and dividing it by total number of students who answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of insomnia was considered by taking the number of cases of insomnia and dividing it by the total number of students who answered the questionnaire. The association between selected factors and prevalence of MSDs, visual symptoms and insomnia were analysed using the chisquare test of association. 5% level of probability was used to indicate statistical significance.

Results The data regarding personal characteristics of the participants is presented in Table 1. Majority of participants were female (57.5%) when compared to males (42.5%). Nearly 54.8% of participants belonged to 22-24 age group. With regard to body mass index, majority of participants (61%) were normal weight whereas 16.4% and 8.9% of them were underweight and obese respectively. Among the participants, 56.2% were Information technology students and 43.8% were computer science students. Table 1. Personal characteristics of participants. Parameter

mentioned internet, family and friends and college as their source of ergonomic knowledge respectively. Table 2. Computer usage of participants. Parameter

Computer (y)

use

Characteristics

Frequency

Percent

Less than 5 y

27

18.5%

From 5-10 y

67

45.9%

From 10-15 y

52

35.6%

Less than 3 h

127

87%

14

9.6%

More than 6 h

5

3.4%

Less than 3 h

127

87%

14

9.6%

More than 6 h

5

3.4%

Less than 3 h

128

87.7%

16

11%

More than 6 h

2

1.4%

Once in 2 h

75

51.4%

Once in 2-4 h

57

39%

Daily desktop From 3-6 h use (h)

Daily key board From 3-6 h Use (h)

Daily mouse use From 3-6 h (h)

Take breaks

Characteristics

Frequency

Percent

Once in 4 h or more

14

9.6%

Male

62

42.5%

Not aware

21

14.4%

Female

84

57.5%

College

74

50.7%

From 18-20

8

5.5%

Family and friends

75

51.4%

Internet

93

63.7%

Gender

Source ergonomics knowledge

of

From 20-22

55

37.7%

From 22-24

80

54.8%

News paper

11

7.5%

More than 24

3

2.1%

Television

36

24.7%

Under weight

24

16.4%

Others

26

17.8%

Normal weight

89

61%

Over weight

20

13.7%

Obese

13

8.9%

Information technology

82

56.2%

Computer science

64

43.8%

Age

BMI

Department

The data related to desktop usage is presented in Table 2. Majority of the participants (45.9%) reported 5-10 y of computer use. 87% of the participants were using desktop less than 3 h per day. 87% and 87.7% of the participants reported less than 3 h of keyboard and mouse per day respectively. Majority of participants (51.4%) took break once in 2 h during computer use. With regard to the source of ergonomic knowledge, 14.4% of the participants were not aware of ergonomics and 63.7%, 51.4% and 50.7% of the participants

The details related to daily usage of laptop, smart phones and other gadgets by the participants are summarized in Table 3. Majority of the participants (43.8%) reported 3-6 h of laptop usage. 59.6% of participants performed less than 3 h of keying in laptop. When using laptop, only 26.7% and 37% of participants reported using external keyboard and mouse respectively. Majority of the participants (87.7%) reported using I pad or any other gadget less than 3 h. Table 3. Laptop, smart phones and other gadget usage of participants. Parameter

Daily laptop use (h)

Daily key board use (h)

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Characteristics

Frequency

Percent

Less than 3 h

44

30.1%

From 3-6 h

64

43.8%

More than 6 h

38

26%

Less than 3 h

87

59.6%

From 3-6 h

45

30.8%

2407

Sirajudeen/Muthusamy/Alqahtani/Waly/Jilani

Use external board

key

More than 6 h

14

9.6%

Yes

39

26.7%

No

107

73.3%

Yes

54

37%

No

92

63%

Less than 3 h

15

10.3%

47

32.2%

84

57.5%

128

87.7%

15

10.3%

3

2.1%

Use external mouse

Daily smart phone From 3-6 h use (h) More than 6 h Less than 3 h Daily I pad or another gadget use From 3-6 h (h) More than 6 h

The prevalence of MSDs in any one body region among students in this study was 52.7 % (Figure 1). The pattern of MSDs among the participants showed that highest prevalence was neck disorders (45.9%) followed by upper back (29.4%), lower back (26.7%), shoulders (21.2%), wrists/ hand (20.5%), knee (20.5%), ankles/feet (14.4%), elbow (11%), and hip/thigh (8.9%).

prevalence of MSDs are presented in Table 6. The years of computer usage was associated with prevalence of MSDs of upper back (p=0.002), hip/thigh (p=0.03), knees (p=0.001) and ankle/feet (p=0.006) and occurred most commonly among the participants reported using computer less than 5 y. The participants who reported availing less frequent breaks (once in 4 h or more) during computer use were more likely to develop MSDs of shoulder (p=0.005), elbow (p=0.02), and wrist/hands (p=0.001). Table 4. Prevalence of visual complaints and insomnia among participants. Parameter

Characteristics

Frequency

Percent

Yes

33

22.6%

No

113

77.4%

Yes

80

54.8%

No

66

45.2%

Yes

34

23.3%

No

112

76.7%

Yes

34

23.3%

No

112

76.7%

Yes

66

45.2%

No

80

54.8%

Yes

52

35.6%

No

94

64.4%

Yes

34

23.3%

No

112

76.7%

Yes

51

34.9%

No

95

65.1%

Yes

83

56.9%

No

63

43.1%

Corrective lens

Visual symptoms (any one)

Burning sensations

Redness

Head ache

Eye fatigue

Double vision

Figure 1. Prevalence and distribution of MSDs.

The prevalence of visual symptoms and insomnia are presented in Table 4. About 22.6% of participants reported wearing corrective lens. The prevalence of any one visual symptom among the participants was 54.8%. The pattern of visual symptoms among the participants showed that highest prevalence was headache (45.2%) followed by eye fatigue (35.6%), focusing problem (34.9%), burning sensations (23.3%), redness (23.3%) and double vision (23.3%). The prevalence of sleep disorders among the participants was 56.8%. The association between personal characteristics and prevalence of MSDs are summarized in Table 5. Female students were more likely to develop MSDs of neck (p=0.03), upper back (p=0.001), lower back (p=0.004) and ankle/feet (p=0.01). The MSDs of upper back was associated with age (p=0.016) and occurred most commonly in 22-24 age group. Over weight students were more likely to develop MSDs of knee (p=0.02). The association between desktop usage and the

2408

Focusing problem

Insomnia

The association between laptop, smart phone and other gadgets usage and prevalence of MSDs are presented in Table 7. The participants who did not use external mouse while using laptop were more likely to develop MSDs of neck (p=0.001), shoulder (p=0.02), wrist/hand (p=0.003), upper back (p=0.009), lower back (p=0.001) and Knee (p=0.01). Smart phone use was associated with MSDs of ankle/feet and occurred most commonly among the participants reported using smart phones less than 3 h per day. The association between selected factors and the prevalence of visual symptoms and insomnia are summarized in Table 8. Age was associated with prevalence of visual symptoms (p=0.015) and occurred most commonly in 22-24 age group. The

Biomed Res 2018 Volume 29 Issue 11

Computer-related health problems among university students in Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia participants using smart phones more than 6 h per day were more likely to develop insomnia (p=0.007). Table 5. Association between personal characteristics and prevalence of MSDs. Gender

Age (Years)

BMI

Characteristics

Neck

Shoulder

Elbow

Wrist/ Hand

Upper back

Lower back

Hip

Knee

Ankle/feet

Male

Female

18-20

20-22

22-24

more than 24

Under weight

Normal weight

Over weight

Obese

No

22

45

4

24

39

0

11

40

10

6

%

35.50%

53.60%

50.00%

43.60%

48.80%

0.00%

45.80%

44.90%

50.00%

46.20%

P

0.03*

No

9

22

1

12

18

0

4

18

7

2

%

14.50%

26.20%

12.50%

21.80%

22.50%

0.00%

16.70%

20.20%

35.00%

15.40%

P

0.088

No

4

12

0

5

11

0

0

12

3

1

%

6.50%

14.30%

0.00%

9.10%

13.80%

0.00%

0.00%

13.50%

15.00%

7.70%

P

0.134

No

11

19

2

10

18

0

2

20

6

2

%

17.70%

22.60%

25.00%

18.20%

22.50%

0.00%

8.30%

22.50%

30.00%

15.40%

P

0.471

No

9

34

2

8

32

1

8

29

5

1

%

14.50%

40.50%

25.00%

14.50%

40.00%

33.30%

33.30%

32.60%

25.00%

7.70%

P

0.001*

No

9

30

2

14

23

0

6

23

5

5

%

14.50%

35.70%

25.00%

25.50%

28.80%

0.00%

25.00%

25.80%

25.00%

38.50%

P

0.004*

No

5

8

0

4

9

0

1

9

2

1

%

8.10%

9.50%

0.00%

7.30%

11.30%

0.00%

4.20%

10.10%

10.00%

7.70%

P

0.76

No

12

18

3

6

21

0

2

17

9

2

%

19.40%

21.40%

37.50%

10.90%

26.30%

0.00%

8.30%

19.10%

45.00%

15.40%

P

0.75

No

4

17

0

7

13

1

2

14

4

1

%

6.50%

20.20%

0.00%

12.70%

16.30%

33.30%

8.30%

15.70%

20.00%

7.70%

P

0.01*

0.396

0.983

0.738

0.41

0.534

0.26

0.741

0.296

0.016*

0.29

0.724

0.79

0.615

0.83

0.075

0.02*

0.463

0.61

No: Number of Participants; %: Percentage of Participants; P: P value of Chi-square test; *: P