Track: Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) significantly contribute to the disease burden in Asia, thus lead to reduced productivity, quality of life, finances, and work participation. In the Philippines, MSDs were among the leading ten causes of years lived with disability (YLDs). Research studies have identified a high prevalence of MSDs associated with laptops in an academic setting. In the Philippines, the acquisition of laptops linearly increases with a rate of 1.87 yearly. The study aims to statistically analyze personal, nonoccupational, physical, and psychological risk factors that may lead to MSDs, specifically on the neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, and hands/wrists. This research study developed predictive models for five body regions to help anticipate and prevent MSDs. The regression analysis revealed that the duration of laptop use, height, and years of laptop usage of college students were statistically significant in one or more of the five body regions. Furthermore, gender was significant for the upper back and hands/wrists region, where female gender was 3.01 and 2.69 times more likely to develop MSD. The results of this study can contribute to Engineering students in order to anticipate the likelihood of MSDs and increase productivity of students.