Conclusions : Neck pain was not significantly associated with high job dem and s , low skill discretion , low decision authority , or low peer support .
However , when these variables were combined with increased duration of computing tasks , or ergonomic dem and s , they reached significance .
Supervisor support was found to be the only significant buffer capable of preventing these variables reaching significance in female office workers
Introduction : The purpose of this systematic review was to examine literature on workplace factors associated with  neck pain or symptoms in computer users performing clerical functions .
Symptoms of Neck, Shoulder, Forearms, and Hands: A Cohort Study Among Computer Office Workers in Sudan
Objectives Complaints of the arms , neck , and shoulders in general and computer-related disorders in particular affect many office workers in economically developed countries . However , with the increased use of computer systems in developing countries , the associated musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors are yet to be investigated . The study investigates the relationship between work-related physical and psychosocial characteristics and symptoms of the arms , neck , and shoulders in an African economically developed worksite . Methods A prospect i ve cohort study with 1-year follow-up was conducted . Data were used from 250 computer office workers in Khartoum , Sudan . Data were collected using the Arabic version of the Maastricht Upper Extremity Question naire . Prevalence rates for symptoms were calculated and the categories of risk factors being evaluated consisted of physical , psychological , and individual risk factors . Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with complaints that were expressed as odds ratios ( ORs ) with 95 % confidence intervals ( CIs ) . Results The 1-year follow-up prevalence rate was 0.63 ( 95 % CI : 0.58 - 0.70 ) for neck symptoms , 0.56 ( 95 % CI : 0.45 - 0.66 ) for shoulder symptoms , and 0.46 ( 95 % CI : 0.42 - 0.59 ) for symptoms of the forearms/h and s. Three main risk factors were significantly associated with the presence of symptoms : ( 1 ) time pressure [ OR : 1.31 ( 1.00 to 1.90 ) P=0.05 ] , ( 2 ) task difficulty [ OR : 1.85 ( 1.73 to 1.99 ) P=0.03 ] , and ( 3 ) previous history of symptoms [ OR : 4.62 ( 2.20 to 9.35 ) P=0.01 ] . Conclusions The targeted office workers in Sudan are reporting symptoms in the neck , shoulders , and forearms . Work-related psychological factors predicted more significantly the presence of symptoms in the targeted population
Conclusions : Neck pain was not significantly associated with high job dem and s , low skill discretion , low decision authority , or low peer support .
However , when these variables were combined with increased duration of computing tasks , or ergonomic dem and s , they reached significance .
Supervisor support was found to be the only significant buffer capable of preventing these variables reaching significance in female office workers
Introduction : The purpose of this systematic review was to examine literature on workplace factors associated with  neck pain or symptoms in computer users performing clerical functions .