Association between ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal discomfort among the hostel's residence of University Putra Malaysia

Abdul Rahim, Fatin Nasuha (2016) Association between ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal discomfort among the hostel's residence of University Putra Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies are conducted to study the ergonomics risk factors among schoolchildren and office workers. No study had been conducted yet on the ergonomic risk factors for university students in Malaysia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal discomfort among the university students. METHODOLOGY: This is a crosssectional study. The respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method. Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) was recorded using MSD Questionnaire. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess awkward posture of student's torso namely bending forward movement, leaning, sitting and twisting. Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was used to quantify risk associated with the work station of the students with computer related activities. Anthropometric measurement which consist of weight and sitting measurement of a respondents using anthropometry set to measure the possible mismatch between the body dimension of the students and furniture dimension. Four possible mismatch that measured were popliteal height and seat height; buttock-popliteal length and seat depth; knee height and table clearance; and elbow rest height and table height. RESULTS: Results showed that the prevalence of discomfort among the students was 76.7%. Results of Chi Square test showed that there was no association between discomfort and sociodemographic factors for gender, age, BMI and ethnicity. There was no association between discomfort and ergonomic factors including ROSA (χ² = 2.635, p-value = 0.105), RULA (χ²= 4.634, p-value = 0.099), MSD complain (χ²= 0.032, pvalue = 0.857) and mismatch (χ² = 0.332 p-value = 0.564). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of discomfort was high among the students. Therefore, a recommended chair and table dimension was recommended so that it can be implemented to avoid the increasing of risks among the students at the university. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Discomfort (MSD), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), Mismatch

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Muhamad Fazril Awang
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2022 03:44
Last Modified:	23 Nov 2022 03:44
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/440

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