Neck and shoulder pain in students: Unveiling associated factors of video display terminal devices use

Background: Neck and shoulder pain is becoming a major public health concern due to increased use of digital display terminal devices. It negatively affects individual’s health and results in a burden on health care system. Objective: To determine the frequency of neck and shoulder pain and identify the factors associated with it among students who use video display terminal (VDT) devices. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to October 2022 in various colleges and universities of the Punjab, Pakistan using a web-based survey. Convenience sampling technique was used to include 415 undergraduate students. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data of sociodemographic details and ergonomic practices. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean ±SD age of respondents was 21.3±2.8 years. Neck and shoulder pain was reported by 40.2% of the students who used VDT devices. Gender, course of study, and frequency of taking breaks while using VDT device were significantly associated with neck and shoulder pain (p values ≤0.05). Conclusion: About 40% of the students reported having neck and shoulder pain. Neck and shoulder pain was more frequent in females, allied health sciences students and those taking frequent breaks.