Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of Computer Ergonomics among Secretaries and Data Processing Workers in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016

Abstract

Background: Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to workers by taking into account the requirements of the job and peoples’ physical and mental capacities. Knowledge and practice about computer ergonomics helps employers and data processing workers to develop strategies that used to reduce the effects of poor computer ergonomics in the selected population. Objectives: the aim of the study is to assess knowledge and practice towards computer ergonomics among desk top users of secretaries and data processing workers who are working in different departments or staffs in university of Gondar. Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from the 1st February to June 2nd week, 2016 on secretaries and data processing workers in university of Gondar. Stratified sampling was used to get the total sample size of 260 participants. A self-administered structured questionnaire and observational checklists have been used to collect quantitative data on assessment of knowledge and practice of computer ergonomics. All the questionnaires have been checked visually, coded and entered into SPSS version 20 software package and also for analysis. Result: Among the total respondents 152(58.5%) of the participants were females while the mean age of the study participants was 29.62. About 165(63.5%) of the study participants had information about computer ergonomics with the mean knowledge and practice 51.9% and 48.1% respectively. Conclusion: Even though the workers had a good knowledge their practices were below the mean score. So the concerned body should be responsible to improve the awareness of the workers on computer ergonomics practice through office ergonomics strategies.