[Relationship of visual display terminal work with minor health complaints and subjective health assessed using the Total Health Index, a health questionnaire].

Abstract

Objectives: Using the Total Health Index (THI) health check questionnaire, we aim to clarify the subjective health associated with working using visual display terminals (VDTs).

Methods: Focusing on male manufacturing workers, we analyzed data from responses to 130 THI questions in the four annual surveys from 2010 for three groups: those who worked with VDTs for four hours or more per day (4 h<), less than four hours per day (4 h>), and those who did not use VDTs (0 h). We examined the state of subjective health by assigning scores to the three-choice responses to each question (yes=3, sometimes=2, no=0 point). We then calculated the cumulative scale score for each of the 16 scales to determine the three groups' characteristics.

Results: The 4 h<, 4 h>, and 0 h groups consisted of 480, 440, and 80 employees, respectively. The 4 h< group had significantly more complaints of eye fatigue, lack of energy, and others than the 4 h> group. The mean percentile of the scale score was significantly higher for the two scales of "eyes/skin" and "depression" in the 4 h< group than the 4 h> group. We compared the changes in scale scores between those who increased and those who decreased their VDT work time with those in the previous year. The group increased with VDT work time showed higher scores in the questions "lack of energy recently" and others. Regular exercise reduced the severity of complaints about depression.

Conclusions: THI confirmed that prolonged VDT work has negative impacts on health. To reduce these negative impacts, surveys using THI are useful for determining preventive measures.