Occupational Health Hazards Among IT Professionals Due to Prolonged Computer Use: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Prolonged computer use among Information Technology (IT) professionals has been associated with various occupational health risks, including musculoskeletal disorders, visual strain, and psychosocial stress. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize research on the health hazards faced by IT engineers due to extended computer use. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024 using keywords such as "IT professionals," "computer-related health problems," "visual strain," and "musculoskeletal disorders." Studies were included if they focused on adult IT professionals, reported health outcomes related to computer use, and were written in English. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate a high prevalence of neck and back pain (42–63%), digital eye strain (up to 68%), and psychological stress (over 30%) among this population. These findings highlight the urgent need for ergonomic and organizational interventions.