Computer professional’s health hazard: a study in Dhaka city

Abstract

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is an emerging industrial sector in Bangladesh. According to Ministry of Finance 2013, the size of the IT industry is estimates to be approximately around US$ 120 million per year (including export). But computer professionals are among the most unnoticed working groups in Bangladesh who are exposed to various occupational health hazards due to their work postures and long working hour on computer. This study aims to assess the prevalence and pattern of computer related health hazards among the computer professionals in Dhaka city. It also seeks to examine the attitudes of the professionals towards health hazards, the association between the computer professionals’ health hazard and their working environment and interventions by government, employers and employees. With the Dhaka Metropolitan Area as a study site, a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 105 computer professionals (79% males and 21% females) between ages 20 through 45 and made up of Software programmers, Designers, Business analysts, Developers and Network engineers was conducted. The participants in the present study were recruited from 12 different software companies in Dhaka city. Results indicated that musculoskeletal disorders were common among the computer professionals. The highest (56.2%) respondents suffered from upper back trouble and (43.8%) suffered from lower back trouble. However, (41.9%) of the respondents suffered from wrists trouble and (41.0%) suffered neck pain. Shoulder trouble was found among (24.8%) of the respondents and (25.7%) of the respondents suffered eye restrain. Due to these troubles and discomforts, (20.0%) respondents were prevented from work and (40%) of the respondents consulted with the doctors or physio-therapists. Smoking habit was found among the (58.1%) of the respondents and a relation between long work hour and smoking habit was also analyzed. Accessing the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, large number of respondents (38.0%) was found moderately depressed. Statistical significant association was found between the long work hour and the level of depression. These findings underscore that the computer professionals are prone to these occupational hazards so computer service sector should be emphasized as a field of concern in occupational health hazards. Application of ergonomics and better technology along with proper lighting; cushioned chair and soft keypads in the office settings are required. There is also a need for enforcing suitable preventive measures to combat these occupational health hazards along with establishing OSH policy and legislations.