| Summary: | Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. === INTRODUCTION
Computer use has been identified as a risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal
dysfunction among children and adolescents internationally. Computer exposure has
increased in the Western Cape since 2002, with the inception of a project to install computer
laboratories in all schools in the province. As musculoskeletal dysfunction experienced
during adolescence is predictive of musculoskeletal disorders in adulthood, it is essential to
identify all risk and/or associative factors.
METHODOLOGY
A descriptive study was conducted with the aim to investigate whether the musculoskeletal
dysfunction of high school learners in the Cape Metropolitan region was related to their
computer use. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 of the study entailed the
completion of a new questionnaire, the Computer Usage Questionnaire, by grade 10-12
learners. The learner sample was divided in a computer and a non-computer group
depending on their exposure to the school computer. Phase 2 of the study involved the
assessment of the ergonomic design of the computer laboratories at randomly selected high
schools within the Cape Metropolitan region.
RESULTS
A total of 1073 learners (65% girls & 35% boys), aged 14-18 years, completed the CUQ in
phase 1 of the study. The results indicated that learners in the computer group had greater
weekly exposure to computers than the non-computer group. The prevalence of
musculoskeletal dysfunction among this learner sample was 74%. The most common body
areas of dysfunction were the head, low back and neck. The female gender, playing sport
and using the school computer for more than three years were associated with
musculoskeletal dysfunction. Weekly computer use of more than seven hours was
predictive of general musculoskeletal dysfunction, low back pain and neck pain.
Twenty nine computer laboratories within 16 selected high schools were assessed by
means of the Computer Workstation Design Assessment (CWDA). Out of a total score of
40, the computer laboratories obtained average scores of less than 45%, indicating
compliance with less than half of the standard ergonomic requirements.
The average scores for the workspace environment was less than 40%. The design of the
desk, chair and computer screen had the poorest compliance to ergonomic guidelines.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The prevalence of musculoskeletal dysfunction among this sample was higher than among
other similar samples on the same study topic. The higher prevalence may be attributed to
the poor ergonomic design of the computer laboratories in the Cape Metropolitan region.
Learners’ reduced participation in activities such as sport and working on a computer due to
their musculoskeletal dysfunction, may impact on their choice of a future career. The
tendency of learners not to seek medical advice for their musculoskeletal dysfunction may
predispose the development of chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
Education of related parties on safe computing habits as well as advice on the ergonomic
design of computer laboratories is recommended to prevent the progression of adolescent
musculoskeletal dysfunction into chronic disorders in adulthood.
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