Prevalence of Work Related Upper Limbs Symptoms (WRULS) among Office Workers

• Main Author: Zairina A. Rahman, Dr.
• Format: Research Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia 2011
• Subjects: Upper Extremity; Work Related Upper Limbs Symptoms; WE805 Z21p
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/4101

Background: Work related upper limbs symptoms (WRULS) is an upper limbs musculoskeletal symptoms which is attributable to work. Office workers are potentially at risk for this problem due to their work setting which include computer and furniture. Study objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of WRULS and the contributing factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 463 office workers who were randomly selected among the study population. Information on socio demographic, hobby, medical history, job, and computer usage were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling were used in the analyses to determine the prevalence of WRULS and also the factors associated with WRULS. Results: A total of 463 (87.7%) participated in the study. The mean age (range) of the respondents was 34.1 (18-55) years old. Majority (91.6%) were Malays and female (72.8%). Nearly 90 percents attained at least upper secondary of education. The prevalence of WRULS was 33.0% (95% C.I.: 28.8%, 37.3%). The odds of WRULS among computer users was 2.0 (95% C.I.: 1.1, 3.4%) compared to non user. Computer usage of 5 hours and more per day was associated with an increase in odds by 7.5 (95% C.I.: 2.3, 24.2). Conclusion: About one in three workers had WRULS. These symptoms were associated with computer usage.