Five-year Survey of Personal Computer Work by the Staff of a Teacher Training University and Affiliated Schools

Abstract

Objective: Occupational research relevant to visual display terminal (VDT) work is expanding on a global scale. To date, examination of possible occupational health-related issues has been insufficient. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal survey (2007-2011) at a teacher training university, investigating various kinds of problematic VDT work, revealing the relationships between occupational and environmental factors (work content, workplace, and working posture) and ocular and musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: Whereas symptoms varied somewhat for men and women who were VDT users, “stooping posture” and “work time (≥ 6 hours)” were the causes of symptoms of “eye fatigue” for both sexes. We identified numerous other sex-specific symptoms as well. Conclusions: These results contribute to improvement of teachers’ occupational and environmental health and offer direction for pre-work education.