Association of individual and device usage factors with musculoskeletal disorders amongst handheld devices users during homestay due to pandemic
International Journal of Workplace Health Management
ISSN: 1753-8351
Article publication date: 3 August 2021
Issue publication date: 15 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading in India and different parts of the world. The outbreak delivered not only the condition of dying from infection but also forced people (especially office workers and students) to perform all working (office work, classes, assignments, etc.) and non-working activities (leisure activities such as social media, gaming, etc.) at home using handheld devices (HHDs). In this situation, HHD usage for longer durations is mainly responsible for work-related health issues. Therefore, the paper aims to explore HHD usage patterns and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) amongst HHD users during homestay and the impact of individual and HHD usage–related factors on MSDs.
Design/methodology/approach
From different states of India, 651 people (especially HHD users from universities and industries) were sampled by using systematic cluster random sampling. In addition, an online questionnaire was used to collect data on the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs. Finally, mean comparisons and chi-square analysis was used to analyse the collected data.
Findings
The prevalence rate of MSDs was higher in upper body parts as compared to the lower body parts. The association of gender with MSDs in various body parts was substantial. The time spent on various working and non-working activities using HHDs was significantly associated with MSDs in upper body parts.
Practical implications
Homestay work may be used as an alternative working arrangement, and the risk factors that have the most significant impact on the health of HHD users may be identified by organizations. The findings suggest the proper use of HHDs as per their essential need with intermediate recreational activities.
Originality/value
It is observed that the musculoskeletal health of office workers and university students is a cause for concern during homestay. The current study provides the prevalence of MSDs experienced by HHD users and the association of individual and HHD usage factors with MSDs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the National Project Implementing Unit and the Ministry of Human Resources Development for funding support in this research. The authors thank the anonymous referees for their valuable comments, which have improved the contents and format of this article.
Funding: This research was supported by Collaborative Research Scheme implemented by the National Project Implementing Unit (NPIU) funded by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India (Grant No. 1-5727963012).
Citation
Jain, R., Rana, K.B. and Meena, M.L. (2021), "Association of individual and device usage factors with musculoskeletal disorders amongst handheld devices users during homestay due to pandemic", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 14 No. 6, pp. 605-619. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2020-0104
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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