Workplace evaluation of computer users of the medical university; an ergonomic perspective

Abstract

Background: Computer usage in the workplace had started in 1950 for commercial purposes. The study of environmental factors in the people's workplace is known as ergonomics. It is used to adjust the working stations of people using standard protocol to reduce the stress that affects people physically while spending many hours a day in front of the computer at workplace. Objective: To ergonomically evaluate workplace environment of computer users of the medical university. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on computer users at Dr. Ziauddin University Karachi. The sample size was 100 and the sampling technique used was convenient. Ergonomic Workplace Evaluation questionnaire consisting of questions from an ergonomics perspective was used. The study duration was 6 months (from March 2019 to August 2019). Data was analyzed with aid from SPSS version 21. Results: Results showed that out of 100, 60% participants had problems with physical conditions at workplace with the environment, 69% had a problem with noise, (31% had problems with light due to letting it in during the day, 19% suffered due to equipment. Other 34% stated the cause to be the building number and 13% was due to room. Regarding postural problems, 66% had problems with working stations. The reason of absenteeism was 32% due to working posture, 30% was due to repetitive work, 21% was attributed to Lifting, and 17 % was due to other reasons regarding this perspective. In addition, 86% participants responded that their physical work environment contributes to absence due to illness. Conclusion: There is a significant effect of the workplace environment on the performance of computer users at the medical university.