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Indian Journal of Medical Science Vol. 58 No. 5, May, 2004, pp. 212-213 Letter to Editor Awareness of computer-use related health risks in software companies in Bangalore Shirley Telles, Rajendra Deginal & Lokesh Hutchappa Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India E-mail: anvesana@vsnl.com Code Number: ms04039 Sir, There are important physiological, biochemical, somatic and psychological indicators of stress related to work where human computer interaction occurs1. Prevention is the best management of computer-related ailments since it is more effective, lasts longer, and costs less.2 Among software development organizations worldwide, several are in India, in Bangalore city.3 Hence this study evaluated the awareness of computer-use related health risks in software companies in Bangalore. Forty-three software companies in Bangalore were contacted. Twenty companies participated and the manager for human resource development (HRD) filled in a questionnaire. The questions were: (1) Are you aware that using a computer for over 5 hours a day can cause health problems (yes/no)?; (2) If your answer was `yes', what was the source of your information? (books/ newspapers/ television/ experience of yourself or others/ other source (specify)); (3) Name three health problems which you think are the most likely to occur ; (4) In your company are you using any lifestyle modification strategy? (yes/no); (5) If your answer was `yes', what strategy does the company use? (6) If your answer to Question (4) was `no', which of the following was the most important reason for not using any strategy? (time constraints/ lack of belief in such strategies/ poor response/ financial constraints/ lack of infrastructure/ no access to a trained person/ any other reason (specify)). In fifteen companies the number of software engineers was between 100 and 500 and five companies had between 500 and 1000 employees. Seventeen out of twenty HRD managers were aware of the health risks. Eleven had got the information from newspapers, five from the employees' experience, and one from a television program. When asked about the three most likely complaints, fifteen out of seventeen mentioned (i) visual strain, (ii) back pain, and (iii) other musculoskeletal pains. Two mentioned `psychological strain' and `weight gain' as other likely hazards. Two others did not know the likely problems. Ten out of seventeen were using some lifestyle modification strategy, while seven were not. The following strategies were used: indoor and outdoor games, yoga including meditation, health checkups, health advice, recreational facilities, and a `rooftop cafeteria'. The use of these strategies was optional. In the case of the seven companies where no strategy was used, five of them gave the reason that they had `no access to a trained person to administer the strategy' and for two of them `time constraints' were the limiting factor. Hence HRD managers in most software companies are aware of health risks of prolonged computer use and which complaints are most probable. However the management strategies did not seem adequate. In view of the increasing number of software companies across India this topic requires attention. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The project was funded by a grant from the Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Shirley Telles, Rajendra Deginal & Lokesh Hutchappa Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India
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Copyright by The Indian Journal of Medical Sciences |
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