Background: With the increasing dependence on visual display terminals (VDTs),
prolonged computer usage has become a routine occupational demand, particularly
in sectors such as administration, finance, education, and healthcare. Over the
past two decades, research has consistently reported that VDT workers are at increased
risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly in the spine and upper
limbs.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among desktop
users in corporate office settings.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 253 corporate employees,
selected through simple random sampling from an initial pool of 264 eligible
participants. Inclusion criteria were individuals aged 25–50 years, engaged in
desktop work for a minimum of 15 hours per week, and with at least one year of
work experience. Exclusion criteria included history of recent trauma,
orthopedic conditions unrelated to occupational exposure (e.g., road traffic
accidents, fractures), and individuals above 50 years of age. Data on
musculoskeletal complaints were collected using the Standardized Nordic
Musculoskeletal Questionnaire after informed consent.
Results: MSD prevalence over the past 12 months was reported at 82.21%. The
lower back was the most frequently affected region (58.65%), followed by the upper
back, neck, and shoulders. A higher prevalence of MSDs was observed in
individuals with elevated BMI and in those with less than 10 years of work
experience. Younger participants also showed a higher rate of complaints
compared to older counterparts within the study range.
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