Computer Vision Syndrome and Musculoskeletal Disorders among call center workers of a private company

bjectives: to determine the self-reported computer vision syndrome (CVS) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) symptoms among a call center workers and to identify the relation between their occurrence and adherence to ergonomics in the call center settings. Research design and methods: an observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 workers in a private company call center in Abbasia – Egypt; A self-administrated questionnaire including questions about: workers' sociodemographic data, Occupational data, the call center working environment (lighting, temperature …etc.), used devices (monitor, keyboard…etc.) and workers selfreported computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal symptoms. In addition, OSHA computer workstation evaluation checklist was used Results: forty eight percent of the workers have musculoskeletal pain since they started working in the center. Neck pain (53%) and low back pain (52.5%) were the most reported musculoskeletal symptom. Eye strain (72.4%) and headache (64.4%) were the commonest reported computer vision syndrome symptoms .The ergonomic evaluation revealed a problem in the working posture in (87.6%), a problem in (98.5%) related to the seating, (81.7%) related to the keyboard and the input device usage and an ergonomic problem in monitors in (68.8%) of the workers. Conclusion: Low back pain and neck pain were the highest reported musculoskeletal complains. Headache and eye strain were the highest reported computer vision syndrome symptoms. Although there were ergonomic defects in the work station setting, they were not the significant cause behind workers' symptoms of MSD or CVS.