Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia
Background: Advanced technology promotes students to utilize computers widely for educational purposes, leading to increased musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among undergraduates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of various MSK pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics among...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
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INTI International University
2023
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/ http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/1/ij2023_32r.pdf http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/2/96 |
| _version_ | 1848766956364103680 |
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| author | Kong, Yi Ling Ong, Jun Hui |
| author_facet | Kong, Yi Ling Ong, Jun Hui |
| author_sort | Kong, Yi Ling |
| building | INTI Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Advanced technology promotes students to utilize computers widely for educational purposes, leading to increased musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among undergraduates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of various MSK pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics among undergraduates in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire among 390 undergraduates. Data on Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Computer Workstation Checklist were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the prevalence of MSK pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics was analysed using the chi-square test. Results: 79.1% and 52.7% of the participants reported MSK pain in the past 12 months and 7 days respectively. This study also revealed that pain in the neck, elbow, wrist, lower back, hip, knee, and ankle in the past 12 months were associated with the computer workstation ergonomics, namely the height of the armrest, keyboard, and input device, monitor’s viewing distance and level, the usage of a comfortable keyboard, comfortable input device and document holder, with p<0.05. Whilst pain in the neck, wrist, and knee in the past 7 days were associated with the chair seat width, monitor’s distance and height, obstruction under the table, and usage of document holder, with p<0.05. Conclusion: This study revealed that more than half of the undergraduates have experienced MSK pain and there is an association with computer workstation ergonomics. Therefore, undergraduates should be educated on the proper computer workstation ergonomics as a preventive measure for
MSK pain. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:57:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | intimal-1771 |
| institution | INTI International University |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:59:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publisher | INTI International University |
| recordtype | eprints |
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| spelling | intimal-17712025-07-24T05:36:46Z http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/ Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia Kong, Yi Ling Ong, Jun Hui Q Science (General) QP Physiology Background: Advanced technology promotes students to utilize computers widely for educational purposes, leading to increased musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among undergraduates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of various MSK pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics among undergraduates in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire among 390 undergraduates. Data on Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Computer Workstation Checklist were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the prevalence of MSK pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics was analysed using the chi-square test. Results: 79.1% and 52.7% of the participants reported MSK pain in the past 12 months and 7 days respectively. This study also revealed that pain in the neck, elbow, wrist, lower back, hip, knee, and ankle in the past 12 months were associated with the computer workstation ergonomics, namely the height of the armrest, keyboard, and input device, monitor’s viewing distance and level, the usage of a comfortable keyboard, comfortable input device and document holder, with p<0.05. Whilst pain in the neck, wrist, and knee in the past 7 days were associated with the chair seat width, monitor’s distance and height, obstruction under the table, and usage of document holder, with p<0.05. Conclusion: This study revealed that more than half of the undergraduates have experienced MSK pain and there is an association with computer workstation ergonomics. Therefore, undergraduates should be educated on the proper computer workstation ergonomics as a preventive measure for MSK pain. INTI International University 2023-07 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/1/ij2023_32r.pdf text en cc_by_4 http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/2/96 Kong, Yi Ling and Ong, Jun Hui (2023) Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia. INTI JOURNAL, 2023 (32). pp. 1-8. ISSN e2600-7320 https://intijournal.intimal.edu.my |
| spellingShingle | Q Science (General) QP Physiology Kong, Yi Ling Ong, Jun Hui Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title | Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title_full | Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title_short | Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association with Computer Workstation Ergonomics among Undergraduates in Malaysia |
| title_sort | prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics among undergraduates in malaysia |
| topic | Q Science (General) QP Physiology |
| url | http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/ http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/ http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/1/ij2023_32r.pdf http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1771/2/96 |