Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.
Work. 2023;76(1):21-31. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220397.
Practicing incorrect postures in online and virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant study-related musculoskeletal problems among students.
This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sitting posture and computer ergonomics and study-related musculoskeletal problems in undergraduates who followed online education during the pandemic.
A cross-sectional online survey among a cohort of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates was conducted using a structured questionnaire with 56 multiple-choice or Yes/No type questions.
Of the 410 participants, over 85% (n = 362) knew the correct posture to sit on the chair type that they frequently used for studies. However, the majority (n = 378,92.20%) practised incorrect sitting postures in which leaning forward (n = 319,77.80%) was the most common suboptimal posture. Knowledge (n = 161,40%) and practice (n = 167,40.73%) on taking frequent breaks were poor among the majority. Their knowledge on computer ergonomics was good (>80%, n = 304) except for the recommended eye-to-screen distance (n = 129,31.46%). Importantly, ∼50% (n = 206) did not practise the recommended eye-to-screen distance. Use of non-adjustable chairs with no armrests (n = 346,84.39%) and smartphones (n = 354,86.34%) were identified as the main factors which hindered correct practices. Study-related pain/discomfort reported by the majority (n = 241,58.78%) is potentially due to suboptimal ergonomics. Their attitude toward learning and practicing correct ergonomics in home workstations was good (n = 383,93.41%).
Poor practice of posture and computer ergonomics, despite the good knowledge and attitude is possibly due to the suboptimal work environments. Introducing simple practical measures to facilitate ergonomically appropriate work environments is mandatory in virtual education to prevent study-related musculoskeletal problems.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，在线和虚拟教育中练习不正确的姿势会导致学生出现与学习相关的显著肌肉骨骼问题。
本研究评估了在大流行期间接受在线教育的医科大学生对坐姿和计算机人体工程学的知识、态度和实践，以及与学习相关的肌肉骨骼问题。
采用结构问卷对斯里兰卡医科大学生进行了横断面在线调查，问卷包含 56 个多项选择题或是/否类型的问题。
在 410 名参与者中，超过 85%（n=362）知道他们经常用于学习的椅子类型的正确坐姿。然而，大多数人（n=378，92.20%）采取了不正确的坐姿，其中前倾（n=319，77.80%）是最常见的次优姿势。大多数人（n=161，40%）知识和实践（n=167，40.73%）较差，无法经常休息。他们对计算机人体工程学的知识很好（>80%，n=304），除了推荐的眼睛与屏幕的距离（n=129，31.46%）。重要的是，约 50%（n=206）没有练习推荐的眼睛与屏幕的距离。使用无扶手的不可调节椅子（n=346，84.39%）和智能手机（n=354，86.34%）是阻碍正确实践的主要因素。大多数人（n=241，58.78%）报告了与学习相关的疼痛/不适，这可能是由于人体工程学不佳造成的。他们对在家中工作站学习和实践正确人体工程学的态度良好（n=383，93.41%）。
尽管知识和态度良好，但坐姿和计算机人体工程学的实践较差，可能是由于工作环境不理想所致。在虚拟教育中引入简单实用的措施来促进符合人体工程学的适当工作环境是必要的，以防止与学习相关的肌肉骨骼问题。
