Prevalence of Neck Pain and Laptop Using Behaviour Among Post Graduate Students

Abstract

Background: Peoples who use laptops are at greater risk for neck pain complaints. The incidence and prevalence of neck pain is increased with the development of information technology and the move toward service sector oriented employment and which is further influenced by an increase in sedentary work as well as occupational and recreational computer use. The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use is surveyed among post-graduation students as their computing hours are higher because these students are further into their education and are completing masters requiring research.Purpose of study: To survey (a) The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use among the post graduate students (b) To assess the laptop using behavior by using student laptop use and neck pain risk questionnaire (SLUNPRQ) developed by Gray, D.( 2011). Materials and Methods:A Qualitative survey study with questionnaire was conducted at Guru Jambheshawar University of Science and Technology, Hisar. 150 post graduate students were taken as per selection criteria which included both male and female between the age group of 21 to 25 years. Using convenience sampling, the Student Laptop Use and Neck Pain Risk Questionnaire with informed consent was distributed among 150 post graduate students. The prevalence of neck pain due to laptop use and the laptop using behavior by using student laptop use were taken as outcome measurement parameters. Qualitative Content Analysis has been used for the analysis of the data.Results: It was observed that long time use of laptop was ergonomically inappropriate. The prevalence of neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems was found higher in most of the students because of the extended use and adopting improper posture while using laptop. Poor adaptation of posture was mainly because of unawareness about laptop ergonomics. Conclusion:The present study concluded that there is higher prevalence of neck pain in post graduate students due to lack of awareness about the proper posture for laptop use among them.

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