ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2012 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 2 | Page : 74-78 |
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Computer related health problems among software professionals in Mumbai: A cross-sectional study
Saurabh R Shrivastava, Prateek S Bobhate
Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kaanchepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
Saurabh R Shrivastava Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kaanchepuram, Tamil Nadu India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-344X.101684
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Context: Computers have become an epitome of modern life, being used in every aspect of life. This has also ushered in a new genre of occupation-related health problem. Aims: To estimate prevalence of health problems among software professionals. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 4 months duration from January 2011 to April 2011 was conducted among software professionals working with a private firm. Materials and Methods: List of software professionals working with the firm was obtained and then all professionals satisfying the inclusion criteria were included as study subjects. Inclusion Criteria: working in current job since past 6 months and on computer for at least 4 h/day. The selected study participants were then interviewed face to face using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire after taking their informed consent. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 17 using the chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of any type of computer-related morbidity in software professionals was 178 (89%). The proportion of visual, musculoskeletal, and stress was found to be 67%, 63%, and 44%, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between subjects with visual and musculoskeletal complaints using antiglare screen and soft keypads and those not using them respectively. Conclusions: Ocular discomfort, musculo-skeletal disorders and psycho-social problems form key category of health problems found among constant computer users. This study has also brought into focus factors contributing to the occurrence of these problems. Thus, the problem requires a multidisciplinary action and hence there is an immediate need for the concerned authorities to collaborate and enforce suitable preventive measures. |
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