Investigation of the ergonomic suitability and the health related quality of life among the students in online education during the COV?D-19 pandemic

Abstract

Students suddenly came across with a new education system due to pandemic. Health education needs practices including manual skills so education method is totally affected in Faculties of Health Sciences. The aim of this study is to examine the ergonomic suitability of the studying posture and health-related quality of life of the students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculties of Health Sciences of the Universities in Northern Cyprus, a cross-sectional study design Ergonomic designs were evaluated from five pictures and a total score was obtained. Nottingham Health Profile was used to determine the quality of life during this new education version. Only 12.8% of the students used a great posture and some parameters of quality of life were found different between female and males (p<0.05). 73.0% of the students who received online education had an increase in the level of musculoskeletal pain during the pandemic. The students stated that they have pain in the shoulder area with almost 30%. Very few students perceived adequate postures during online lectures. Some gender related differences were found in quality of life. The study will guide managements of universities and health professionals in terms of workload of online health education and its risks to musculoskeletal system of young population.