title: Visual display terminal use increases the prevalence and risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese office workers: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among computer users mainland China. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WMSDs in office workers in Beijing, and to determine risk factors for WMSDs in the neck (WMSDs-N).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was delivered to 720 office workers who use a computer as a main working tool. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of WMSDs of the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, upper back and low back amongst office workers were 55.5, 50.7, 31.5, 26.2 and 6.6%, respectively. Both individual risk factor and working condition factors were found to be independently related to WMSDs-N.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WMSDs prevalence rates among office workers in Beijing, China, were high. The most affected area was the neck. Preventive measures for office work should be focused on the neck (e.g., rest breaks).
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jingyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jianxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009333:Neck; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012782:Shoulder; D014953:Wrist