Frequency and associated risk factors for neck pain among software engineers in Karachi, Pakistan
Rasim Ul Hasanat, M.; Ali, S.S.; Rasheed, A.; Khan, M.
JPMA. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 67(7): 1009-1012
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 28770877 Document Number: 691667
To determine the frequency of neck pain and its association with risk factors among software engineers. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from February to March 2016, and comprised software engineers from 19 different locations. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select individuals spending at least 6 hours in front of computer screens every day and having a work experience of at least 6 months. Data were collected using a self-administrable questionnaire. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Of the 185 participants, 49(26.5%) had neck pain at the time of data-gathering, while 136(73.5%) reported no pain. However, 119(64.32%) participants had a previous history of neck pain. Other factors like smoking, physical inactivity, history of any muscular pain and neck pain, uncomfortable workstation, and work-related mental stress and insufficient sleep at night, were found to be significantly associated with current neck pain (p<0.05 each). Intensive computer users are likely to experience at least one episode of computer-associated neck pain.