ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SCREEN TIME RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOM AMONG DESK JOB EMPLOYEES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background - Many people spend a lot of time looking at screens for work. This can cause muscle and joint problems, like neck and back pain. Studies have shown that long hours of computer use can increase the risk of these problems. To stay healthy, we need to understand how screen time affects our bodies and find ways to prevent these issues. Materials and Methods- A Cross- sectional study was conducted among 178 desk job empolyess. The study included both male and female participants, with an average age of (25-56 years). The study used a self-reported questionnaire to assess screen time and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, and discomfort. and Additional Data was collected on demographic information Name, Age, Gender, Height, Weight, Occupation. Data analysis was performed using SPSSA software. Results- The findings of this study reveal a significant relationship between screen time and musculoskeletal symptoms among desk job employees. Analysis of data from 178 participants showed that prolonged screen exposure is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in roles requiring extended periods of desk work. A significant proportion of participants (37.6%) reported spending 8 hours per day on screens, followed by 24.1% reporting 7 hours. Employees with longer screen time were more likely to experience discomfort in areas such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back. The majority of participants fell within the 30-39 age group (56.1%), followed by the 20-29 age group (20.7%), reflecting the typical workforce composition in desk-based professions.  Conclusion: The findings suggested that longer screen time is linked to a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms in desk job employees. It highlights the need for interventions to reduce screen time and promote musculoskeletal health in the workplace.