title: Risk factors of non-specific neck pain and low back pain in computer-using office workers in China: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Several studies have found that inappropriate workstations are associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The present cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors of non-specific neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) among computer-using workers.
  
  
  
  Observational study with a cross-sectional sample.
  
  
  
  This study surveyed 15 companies in Zhejiang province, China.
  
  
  
  After excluding participants with missing variables, 417 office workers, including 163 men and 254 women, were analyzed.
  
  
  
  Demographic information was collected by self-report. The standard Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, along with other relevant questions, were used to assess the presence of potential occupational risk factors and the perceived levels of pain. Multinomial logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, education, marital status and neck/low back injury, was performed to identify significant risk factors.
  
  
  
  Compared with low-level NP, the computer location (monitor not in front of the operator, but on the right or left side) was associated with ORs of 2.6 and 2.9 for medium- and high-level NP, respectively. For LBP, the computer location (monitor not in front) was associated with an OR of 3.2 for high-level pain, as compared with low-level pain, in females. Significant associations were also observed between the office temperature and LBP (OR 5.4 for high vs low), and between office work duration ≥5 years and NP in female office workers (OR 2.7 for medium vs low).
  
  
  
  Not having the computer monitor located in front of the operator was found to be an important risk factor for NP and LBP in computer-using female workers. This information may not only enable the development of potential preventive strategies but may also provide new insights for designing appropriate workstations.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China yesunyue@zju.edu.cn.|Physical Activity and Health Research Institute, Zhejiang Financial College, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Sunyue
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8959-7733
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Health Research Institute, Zhejiang Financial College, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qinglei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.affiliation: Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Health Research Institute, Zhejiang Financial College, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Computer use; Low back disorder; Musculoskeletal pain; Self-reported questionnaire; White-collar worker