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Background: Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are a significant and common occupational health concern, impacting work attendance and performance. A high prevalence rate of UEMSDs has been reported among computer users yet limited research has been conducted on computer programmers’ specifically. Certain studies have linked these higher prevalence rates to typical daily computing tasks including prolonged sitting, incorrect ergonomics, awkward/abnormal postures and repetitive movements, but limited research has been conducted on this population specifically.  Objectives: To determine the point and lifetime prevalence of UEMSDs of the sample population of computer programmers in a selected software company in the eThekwini Municipality; to determine the injury profile of the population and compare to international studies; to identify selected risk factors of the population (demographic, ergonomic and physical risk factors); and to determine any associations between prevalence and selected risk factors of injury in the population.  Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive, questionnaire-based survey conducted to assess selected associated risks factors for UEMSDs in computer programmers in a selected software company. Participants who met the inclusion criteria (N = 155) were invited to complete self-administered questionnaires. The study population consisted of computer programmers in a selected eThekweni software company, over the age of 18 years, who worked full-time for 8 hours or more per day, that were symptomatic or asymptomatic concerning UEMSDs.  The scores for each sub-group were expressed as percentages and summarised using mean, standard deviation and range, with 95% confidence intervals. Bivariate associations from categorical variables were conducted using a Pearson’s chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test as appropriate. Cross tabulations were conducted using contingency tables to determine whether there was an association between variables. Graphical representation of scores by groups were conducted using various types of tables and graphs such as bar graphs, tables, and pie charts. Factors were entered individually into the model to evaluate their Pearson’s chi-square values and partial Eta scores. A p value of   40 hours on the computer per week were prone to injury 16.769 (O.R.) times more often than participants who worked 20 to 30 hours on the computer per week (p = 0.037) and 3.563 (O.R.) times more often than a programmer who worked 31 to 34 hours per week (p = 0.013). Cofounding risk factors to injury were sick leave (p = 0.000) and productivity loss/work interference (p = 0.000).  Conclusion: This is the first South African study, to our knowledge, that highlights point and lifetime prevalence rates for work-related UEMSDs among computer programmers as well as significant DASH findings. This draws attention to the need for implementation of intervention programmes to prevent and/or reduce the development of work-related UEMSDs.

Work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among computer programmers in a selected software company in the eThekweni Municipality