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Promoting healthy computer use among middle school students: a pilot school-based health promotion program.
Work. 2012; 41 Suppl 1:851-6.WORK

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Introduction of notebook computers in many schools has become integral to learning. This has increased students' screen-based exposure and the potential risks to physical and visual health. Unhealthy computing behaviours include frequent and long durations of exposure; awkward postures due to inappropriate furniture and workstation layout, and ignoring computer-related discomfort.

OBJECTIVE

Describe the framework for a planned school-based health promotion program to encourage healthy computing behaviours among middle school students.

METHODS

This planned program uses a community- based participatory research approach. Students in Year 7 in 2011 at a co-educational middle school, their parents, and teachers have been recruited. Baseline data was collected on students' knowledge of computer ergonomics, current notebook exposure, and attitudes towards healthy computing behaviours; and teachers' and self-perceived competence to promote healthy notebook use among students, and what education they wanted. The health promotion program is being developed by an inter-professional team in collaboration with students, teachers and parents to embed concepts of ergonomics education in relevant school activities and school culture. End of year changes in reported and observed student computing behaviours will be used to determine the effectiveness of the program.

SIGNIFICANCE

Building a body of evidence regarding physical health benefits to students from this school-based ergonomics program can guide policy development on the healthy use of computers within children's educational environments.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors+Show Affiliations

Ciccarelli M
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. M.Ciccarelli@curtin.edu.au
Portsmouth L
No affiliation info available
Harris C
No affiliation info available
Jacobs K
No affiliation info available

MeSH

ErgonomicsFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PromotionHumansMaleMicrocomputersMusculoskeletal PainPilot ProjectsPostureSchoolsStudents

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22316828

Citation

Ciccarelli, Marina, et al. "Promoting Healthy Computer Use Among Middle School Students: a Pilot School-based Health Promotion Program." Work (Reading, Mass.), vol. 41 Suppl 1, 2012, pp. 851-6.
Ciccarelli M, Portsmouth L, Harris C, et al. Promoting healthy computer use among middle school students: a pilot school-based health promotion program. Work. 2012;41 Suppl 1:851-6.
Ciccarelli, M., Portsmouth, L., Harris, C., & Jacobs, K. (2012). Promoting healthy computer use among middle school students: a pilot school-based health promotion program. Work (Reading, Mass.), 41 Suppl 1, 851-6. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-0253-851
Ciccarelli M, et al. Promoting Healthy Computer Use Among Middle School Students: a Pilot School-based Health Promotion Program. Work. 2012;41 Suppl 1:851-6. PubMed PMID: 22316828.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Promoting healthy computer use among middle school students: a pilot school-based health promotion program. AU - Ciccarelli,Marina, AU - Portsmouth,Linda, AU - Harris,Courtenay, AU - Jacobs,Karen, PY - 2012/2/10/entrez PY - 2012/2/10/pubmed PY - 2014/4/8/medline SP - 851 EP - 6 JF - Work (Reading, Mass.) JO - Work VL - 41 Suppl 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: Introduction of notebook computers in many schools has become integral to learning. This has increased students' screen-based exposure and the potential risks to physical and visual health. Unhealthy computing behaviours include frequent and long durations of exposure; awkward postures due to inappropriate furniture and workstation layout, and ignoring computer-related discomfort. OBJECTIVE: Describe the framework for a planned school-based health promotion program to encourage healthy computing behaviours among middle school students. METHODS: This planned program uses a community- based participatory research approach. Students in Year 7 in 2011 at a co-educational middle school, their parents, and teachers have been recruited. Baseline data was collected on students' knowledge of computer ergonomics, current notebook exposure, and attitudes towards healthy computing behaviours; and teachers' and self-perceived competence to promote healthy notebook use among students, and what education they wanted. The health promotion program is being developed by an inter-professional team in collaboration with students, teachers and parents to embed concepts of ergonomics education in relevant school activities and school culture. End of year changes in reported and observed student computing behaviours will be used to determine the effectiveness of the program. SIGNIFICANCE: Building a body of evidence regarding physical health benefits to students from this school-based ergonomics program can guide policy development on the healthy use of computers within children's educational environments. SN - 1875-9270 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/22316828/Promoting_healthy_computer_use_among_middle_school_students:_a_pilot_school_based_health_promotion_program_ L2 - https://content.iospress.com/openurl?genre=article&id=doi:10.3233/WOR-2012-0253-851 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -