Information Studies

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Work-Related Risk Factors for Neck Pain among Library Professionals in Academic Libraries


Affiliations
1 P.M.R. Institute of Technology, Adayalampattu, Vanagaram, Chennai 600 095, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The prevalence of work-related neck pain among library professionals is much higher than in the general population. The costs to the worker, employer and society associated with work-related neck pain are considerable and escalating. The factors that place library professionals at greater risk of developing neck pain are not clearly understood. The present study was conducted to survey the incidence and risk factors of work-related neck pain among library professionals in academic libraries in and around Chennai. The prevalence of neck pain among library professionals was 56%. Those working in the circulation section expressed the incidence more than those working in other sections. Gender-wise analysis revealed that females suffered more neck pain compared to males. Wrong neck posture was the main risk factor for neck pain followed by inadequate breaks, presence of psychological distress, increased duration of daily sitting aH woiic and being female. Studies such as the present one can be useful for identification of factors that predict neck pain incidence among library professionals that would be critical in the provision of preventative workplace interventions and formulation of ocoqjaiional health and safety policies covering library professionals.

Keywords

Library and Information Professionals, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Factors, Neck Pain, Gender Differences.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Aker, P.D.; Gross, A.R.; Goldsmith, H. and Peloso P. (1996) Conservative management of mechanical neck pain: systematic overview and meta-analysis. Brit. Med. J.; 313; p. 1291-1296.

  • Ariens, G.A.M; Bongers, P.M.; Douwes, M.; Miedema, M.C.; Hoogendoorn, W.E.; van der Wal, G.; Bouter, L. and van Mechelen W. (2001) Are neck flexion, neck rotation and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study. Occup. Environ. Med.., 58, p.200-207.

  • Ariens G.A.M.; Bongers, P.M.; Hoogendoorn, W.E.; Houtman I.L.D; van der Wal, G. and vanMechelen, W. (2001) High quantitative job demands and low coworker support as risk factors for neck pain. Spine, 17; p. 1896-1903.

  • Bogduk, N. (1998) Neck pain: an update. Aust. Fam Physician, 17; p.75-80.

  • Borghouts, J.A.; Koes, B.W. and Vondeling, H. (1999) Cost-of-illness of neck pain in the Netherlands in 1996. Pain, 80; 1999; p. 629-636.

  • Chiu, T.T.W.; Ku, W.Y.; Lee, M.H.; Sum, M.H.; Wan, M.P.; Wong, C.Y. and Yuen, C.K. (2002) A study on the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain among university • academic staff in Hong Kong. J. Occ. Rehab. 12; p. 77-91.

  • Cote P.; Cassidy D.J. and Carroll, L. (1998) The Saskatchewan health and back pain survey. The prevalence of neck pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults. Spine, 23; p. 689-1698.

  • De Vet, H.; Heymans, M.; Dunn, K.: Pope, D.P.; van der Beek, A.J.; Macfarlane, G.J.; Bouter, L. and Croft P.R. (2002) Episodes of back pain: A proposal for uniform definitions to be used in research. Spine, 27; p. 2409-2416.

  • Evans, O. and Patterson, K. (2000) Predictors of neck and shoulder pain in non-secretarial computer users. Int. J. Ind. Ergon., 26; p. 357-365.

  • JuU, G.; Trott, P.; Potter, H.; Zito. G.; Niere, K.; Shirley, D.; Emberson, J.; Marschner, L and Richardson, C. (2002) A Randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. Spine. 27; p. 1835-1843.

  • Kamwendo, K.; Linton, S.J.; Moritz, U. (1991) Neck and shoulder disorders in medical secretaries. Part 1. Pain prevalence and risk factors. Scan. J. Rehab. Med. 23; p.127-133.

  • Korhonen, T.; Ketola, R.; Toivonen, R.; Luukonen, R.; Hakkanen, M. and Viikari-Juntura, E. (2000) Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units. Occup. Environ. Med., 60; p. 475-482.

  • Lau E.M.C.; Sham A. and Wong, K.C. (1996) The prevalence and risk factors for neck pain in Hong Kong Chinese. J Public Health Med. 18; p. 396-399.

  • Linton, S.J. (2000) A review of psychological risk factors in back and neck pain. Spine, 25; p.1148-1156.

  • Volinn, E. and Punnett, L. (2001) Point of view. Spine, 26; p.1902-1903.

  • Wahlstrom, J.; Hagberg, M.; Toomingas, A. and Tornqvist E.W. (2004) Perceived muscular tension, job strain, physical exposure and associations with neck pain among VDU users; a prospective cohort study. Occup. Environ. Med., 61; p. 523-528.


Abstract Views: 136

PDF Views: 0




  • Work-Related Risk Factors for Neck Pain among Library Professionals in Academic Libraries

Abstract Views: 136  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

P. Sankar
P.M.R. Institute of Technology, Adayalampattu, Vanagaram, Chennai 600 095, India

Abstract


The prevalence of work-related neck pain among library professionals is much higher than in the general population. The costs to the worker, employer and society associated with work-related neck pain are considerable and escalating. The factors that place library professionals at greater risk of developing neck pain are not clearly understood. The present study was conducted to survey the incidence and risk factors of work-related neck pain among library professionals in academic libraries in and around Chennai. The prevalence of neck pain among library professionals was 56%. Those working in the circulation section expressed the incidence more than those working in other sections. Gender-wise analysis revealed that females suffered more neck pain compared to males. Wrong neck posture was the main risk factor for neck pain followed by inadequate breaks, presence of psychological distress, increased duration of daily sitting aH woiic and being female. Studies such as the present one can be useful for identification of factors that predict neck pain incidence among library professionals that would be critical in the provision of preventative workplace interventions and formulation of ocoqjaiional health and safety policies covering library professionals.

Keywords


Library and Information Professionals, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Factors, Neck Pain, Gender Differences.

References