Iran Occupational Health

  Backgrand and aims

  In recent years, computer application has been essential in nearly all kinds of job activities. Few jobs may be found in which computers are not applied. Studies have shown high rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among computer operators. Since computer is used widely in banks, bank operators are considered as main users of computers in the workplace  and accordingly are encountered to the health hazards of working with computers. This study was  conducted with the aim of determination of MSDs prevalence among bank computer operators.

  Methods

  In this cross-sectional study, 287 randomly selected computer operators from 59 banks  of Shiraz city participated. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to study prevalence of MSDs.

  Results

  The results of NMQ revealed that the rates of MSDs prevalence in the past 12 months were 59.6% in shoulders, 58.2% in neck, 54.7% in upper back, 51.2% in lower back, 48.8% in wrists, 39.4% in knees, 31.7% in legs, 28.9% in elbows and 21.6% in thighs. Based on the results, the highest rates of MSDs prevalence were reported in shoulders, neck, upper back and lower back. Statistical analysis revealed significant association between job experience and prevalence  of MSDs in knees¡ thighs and legs (P<0.05). those was analysis also a significant association  between sex and prevalence of MSDs in shoulders, wrists and thighs (P<0.05).

  Conclusion

  MSDs, particularly upper limbs disorders and back problems, occurred in high rate  among bank computer operators. Regarding this, implementing interventional ergonomic  program in the bank workplace seems essential. Appropriate workstation design, increasing  operators' awareness of ergonomics principles in computer operation, job rotation and variation can be considered as parts of this interventional program.