Symptoms of neck, shoulder, forearms, and hands: a cohort study among computer office workers in Sudan.

OBJECTIVES: Complaints of the arms, neck, and shoulders in general and computer-related disorders in particular affect many office workers in economically developed countries. However, with the increased use of computer systems in developing countries, the associated musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors are yet to be investigated. The study investigates the relationship between work-related physical and psychosocial characteristics and symptoms of the arms, neck, and shoulders in an African economically developed worksite. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up was conducted. Data were used from 250 computer office workers in Khartoum, Sudan. Data were collected using the Arabic version of the Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire. Prevalence rates for symptoms were calculated and the categories of risk factors being evaluated consisted of physical, psychological, and individual risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with complaints that were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The 1-year follow-up prevalence rate was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.58-0.70) for neck symptoms, 0.56 (95% CI: 0.45-0.66) for shoulder symptoms, and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.42-0.59) for symptoms of the forearms/hands. Three main risk factors were significantly associated with the presence of symptoms: (1) time pressure [OR: 1.31 (1.00 to 1.90) P=0.05], (2) task difficulty [OR: 1.85 (1.73 to 1.99) P=0.03], and (3) previous history of symptoms [OR: 4.62 (2.20 to 9.35) P=0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: The targeted office workers in Sudan are reporting symptoms in the neck, shoulders, and forearms. Work-related psychological factors predicted more significantly the presence of symptoms in the targeted population.

Complaints of the arm, neck and shoulder among computer office workers in Sudan: a prevalence study with validation of an Arabic risk factors questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) in general and computer-related disorders in particular affect millions of computer office workers in Western developed countries. However, with the widespread use of computer systems in developing countries, the associated musculoskeletal complaints are yet to be investigated. AIM: To study the prevalence of work-related CANS, among computer office workers in Sudan, and to test the psychometric properties of a translated Dutch questionnaire in Arabic language. METHODS: In 2005 282 computer office workers at a mobile telecommunication company and three banks in Khartoum, Sudan, received an Arabic language version of the validated Maastricht upper extremity questionnaire (MUEQ). The questionnaire holds 109 items covering demographic characteristics, in addition to six main domains (i.e. work station, body posture, break time, job control, job demands and social support) assessing potential physical and psychosocial risk factors. Forward/backward translation of the MUQE was done independently by two different translators. Prevalence over the past year were computed for CANS. Further, the psychometric properties of the Arabic questionnaire were investigated (i.e. factor structure and reliability) and cross-validation was carried out. RESULTS: The response rate of the questionnaire was 88% (n = 250). The one-year prevalence of CANS showed that 53% of the respondents could be classified as mild cases. The highest incidences were found for neck and shoulder symptoms (64% and 41% respectively). The analysis of the psychometric properties of the scale resulted in the identification of 2 factors for each of the 6 domains (i.e. office equipment, computer position, head and body posture, awkward body posture, autonomy, quality of break time, skill discretion, decision authority, time pressure, task complexity, social support, and work flow). The calculation of internal consistency and cross validation provided evidence of reliability and lack of redundancy of items. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CANS among the targeted population seems to correspond strongly with prevalence of CANS in Western developed countries. The Arabic translation of the MUEQ has satisfactory psychometric properties to be used to assess work-related risk factors for the development of CANS among computer office workers in Sudan.