ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS DURING TYPING AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS)

Abstract

Background : Typing activity can become a risk factor of CTS if it’s done intensely especially without minding about the ergonomic aspects. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a health problem caused by pressure in nervus medianus through the carpal tunnel. This study aimed to find the association between ergonomic risk factor (posture of hand, duration, force and frequency) during typing with the occurrence of CTS in newspaper employees.

Methods : Used quantitative study with cross sectional design conducted to 50 employees of Harian Pagi Sumatera Ekspress as population. Data was gatherer by interview, observation and also undertaken Tinnel’s test, Phalen’s test and Finkelstein test to support the diagnosis of CTS. Data was processed by using SPSS program and performed by univariate analysis, bivariate analysis by using chi-square, multivariate analysis by using multiple logistic regression and also qualitative method using photovoice.

Result : The expected of CTS among of respondents is 42%. The result of bivariate showed that there are association between posture of hand and CTS (PR:4,235 CI:1,015-17,668 p value: 0,039), duration and CTS (PR:6,417 CI:1,444-28,511 p value: 0,011), frequency and CTS (PR:5,625 CI:1,178-26,854 p value: 0,024), and also the force and CTS (PR:5 CI:0,964-25,93 p value: 0,041). The result of multivariate analysis showed that frequency of hand posture during typing was a dominant factor that affected the CTS (PR: 3,965 CI: 1,086-14,474 p value: 0,037)

Conclusion : There is significant of association between posture of hand, duration, frequency and force during typing and CTS. Frequency is the dominant variable that affects the CTS occurrence after adjusted by posture of hand, duration, force and non occupational risk factor. This study suggests giving more attention to ergonomic aspect through working style and helping tools while doing work.

Keywords : Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ergonomic Risk Factor