The Ignorance of Ergonomics; Digital Lifestyle in COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31580/pjmls.v7i2.3037Keywords:
Back Pain, COVID-19, Digital Lifestyle, Ergonomics, Laptops, Shoulder painAbstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed a global paradigm shift towards digital-centric lifestyles, precipitating a myriad of discomforts and health challenges among students attributed to aberrant body postures. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in developing nations such as Pakistan, where the widespread adoption of electronic devices was not previously ingrained. The present study endeavours to ascertain the prevalence of back and shoulder pain and related maladies stemming from digital lifestyle adaptations during the COVID-19 era among a cohort of 500 university students in Pakistan. The findings underscore a conspicuous absence of adherence to ergonomics principles in digital device usage, correlating strongly with discomfort and suboptimal handling practices. Consequently, the present study elucidates a heightened susceptibility among students to develop neck and back pain, predisposing them to cervical complications. It is pertinent to note, however, that while online learning and living (OLL) during the pandemic serves as a significant contributor to these health hazards, other factors may also play contributory roles. Further investigations are warranted to comprehensively delineate these multifaceted influences on student well-being in the digital age. The outcome revealed the conclusion of zero following of ergonomics observed as a responsible factor for discomfort and unhealthy way of digital handling and therefore outcome of the study showed high jeopardy of students suffering from neck and back pain leading to cervical complications.
References
Cucinotta D, Vanelli M. WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Biomed. 2020;91(1):157-160.
Ilyas SZ, Hassan A, Hussain SM, Jalil A, Baqir Y, Agathopoulos S, Ullah Z. COVID-19 persuaded lockdown impact on local environmental restoration in Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess. 2022;194(4):272.
De' R, Pandey N, Pal A. Impact of digital surge during Covid-19 pandemic: A viewpoint on research and practice. Int J Inf Manage. 2020;55:102171.
Spurk D, Straub C. Flexible employment relationships and careers in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. J VocatBehav. 2020;119:103435.
Jadoon NA, Zahid MF, Mansoorulhaq H, Ullah S, Jadoon BA, Raza A, Hussain M, Yaqoob R, Shahzad MA. Evaluation of internet access and utilization by medical students in Lahore, Pakistan. BMC Med Inform DecisMak. 2011;11:37.
Farooq F, Rathore FA, Mansoor SN. Challenges of Online Medical Education in Pakistan During COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of College of Physicians & Surgeon Pakistan. 2020;30(6):67-69
DU T, Iwakiri K, Sotoyama M, Tokizawa K, Oyama F. Relationship between using tables, chairs, and computers and improper postures when doing VDT work in work from home. Ind Health. 2022;60(4):307-318.
Intolo P, Shalokhon B, Wongwech G, Wisiasut P, Nanthavanij S, Baxter DG. Analysis of neck and shoulder postures, and muscle activities relative to perceived pain during laptop computer use at a low-height table, sofa and bed. Work. 2019;63(3):361-367.
Xiao Y, Becerik-Gerber B, Lucas G, Roll SC. Impacts of Working From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Well-Being of Office Workstation Users. J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Mar 1;63(3):181-190.
Radulović AH, Žaja R, Milošević M, Radulović B, Luketić I, Božić T. Work from home and musculoskeletal pain in telecommunications workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study. ArhHigRadaToksikol. 2021;72(3):232-239.
Argus M, Pääsuke M. Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on musculoskeletal pain, physical activity, and work environment in Estonian office workers transitioning to working from home. Work. 2021;69(3):741-749.
Hasegawa T, Inoue K, Tsutsue O, Kumashiro M. Effects of a sit-stand schedule on a light repetitive task. Int J Ind Ergon. 2001;28:219–224.
Pronk NP, Katz AS, Lowry M, Payfer JR. Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: The take-a-stand project, 2011. Prev Chronic Dis. 2012;9:E154.
Thorp AA, Kingwell BA, Owen N, Dunstan DW. Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/obese office workers. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2014;71:765–771.
Alfano V, Ercolano S. The Efficacy of Lockdown Against COVID-19: A Cross-Country Panel Analysis. Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2020;18(4):509–517.
World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. JAMA. 2013;310(20):2191–2194.
De' R, Pandey N, Pal A. Impact of digital surge during Covid-19 pandemic: A viewpoint on research and practice. Int J Inf Manage. 2020;55:102171.
Marelli S, Castelnuovo A, Somma A, Castronovo V, Mombelli S, Bottoni D, Leitner C, Fossati A, Ferini-Strambi L. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep quality in university students and administration staff. J Neurol. 2020;1–8.
Barone Gibbs B, Kowalsky RJ, Perdomo SJ, Grier M, Jakicic JM. Energy expenditure of deskwork when sitting, standing or alternating positions. Occup Med. 2016;67:121–127.
Ross TP, Foard EL, Hiott FB, Vincent A. The reliability of production strategy scores for the ruff figural fluency test. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2003;18:879–891.
Dutta N, Koepp G, Stovitz S, Levine J, Pereira M. Using sit-stand workstations to decrease sedentary time in office workers: A randomized crossover trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014;11:6653–6665.
Wennberg P, Boraxbekk C-J, Wheeler M, Howard B, Dempsey PC, Lambert G, Eikelis N, Larsen R, Sethi P, Occleston J, et al. Acute effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on fatigue and cognition: A pilot study. BMJ Open. 2016;6:e009630.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Pak-Euro Journal of Medical and Life Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
