Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Winter 1-7-2013
Abstract
Introduction: It is obvious that every professional worker is known as an active agent in production and productivity. Therefore; employers consider specifically the health of their staff and creating a suitable space in agreement with their physical and psychological characteristics. Librarianship is also among those professions. However; there should be more evidence in order to shed light on the importance of the ergonomic factors for all library managers and policy makers and moreover; make the staff both reach self-awareness and take the right action about the health of their career. The very aim of this study is to find out whether librarians’ health is affected by the ergonomic factors or no?
Methods: This is a descriptive survey study. Musculoskeletal disorders were studied using a questionnaire and checklist designed based on NAYUSH and USHA standards. The questionnaire was composed of two parts: the first part included questions about demographic information and the second part included questions related to musculoskeletal disorders based on the Nordic questionnaire. The data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software, and the results were obtained.
Results: The study indicated that librarians’ health is affected by ergonomic factors. 52.6% of the staff had some kinds of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. The greatest complications were on neck and back discomfort caused by working with improper working tools.
Conclusion: Despite the population being young, the incidence of complications was high and there was a meaningful relationship between increasing work experience and the incidence of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms. Moreover; the working factors that affected different parts of the body were found mostly in the neck and back regions.
Comments
This paper was extracted from the result of the research project approved and supported by Tabriz university of medical sciences’s research department and submitted as MSc thesis to the ParaMedical Faculty in Tabriz Universcity of Medical Sciences (Iran).