Physical symptoms in young adults and their use of different computers and mobile phones. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 2011; 17(4

This paper presents the use of new technical equipment by young adults (30 years old or younger), and the physical symptoms they have. The paper then analyses how the symptoms are associated with the use of computers and mobile phones, taking into account the background information. The study is based on a survey of 15 000 working-age (18–65) Finns. The responses (1563) covering young adults ’ physical symptoms were analysed. Altogether 53.3 % of all young adults had pretty often or more frequently pain, numbness or aches in the neck and 32.2 % had aches in the hip and lower back. Women experienced more pain, numbness or aches in the neck (65.0%) than men (34.5%). The use of different computers at leisure quite often had an association with some symptoms in different parts of the body. In addition, exhaustion at work had associations with some physical symptoms. In the future, it is essential to note ergonomic reasons and exhaustion at work when young adults experience pain, numbness or aches. physical symptoms questionnaire computer mobile phone 1