Investigating ergonomics awareness among university students

Abstract

Human factors literature has stressed the importance of ergonomically good computer environment and computer usage as to avoid from ergonomic risk and illnesses. This paper aims to investigate the ergonomics awareness among university students. The data collected from the survey includes their prior knowledge about ergonomics, their current practice and their perception regarding ergonomic-related issues when using computer, as well as on ergonomic health risk. Questionnaires were distributed to 60 students. Result shows that there is a significant association between attending HCI course and having knowledge in ergonomics. Although these students know and understand the good principle of ergonomics, the results reveal that only half of them practice it. In terms of ergonomic awareness, the respondents are least concern on ergonomic risk of keyboard and mouse. The findings provide the current state of practice in computer usage environment. This finding indicates the need to educate students with ergonomic awareness.