Investigating the Quantitative and Qualitative Status of Illumination and Its Relationship With Mental and Psychological Health in Office Workplace: A Cross-Sectional Study; [کارکنان در محیط های اداری: مطالعه مقطعیبررسی وضعیت کمی و کیفی روشنایی محیط کار و ارتباط آن با سالمت ذهنی و روان شناختی] Publisher



Kangarlou MB^{1, 2} ; Saleh E³ ; Dehdashti A^{3, 4} ; Mohammadiyan M⁵ ; Naghshbandi A⁶ ; Babaei N¹
Source: Iran Occupational Health Published:2024

Abstract

Background and aims: The development of new technology has transformed today’s work environments, compelling workers in these settings to endure more visual and cognitive demands compared to physical ones. This study sought to examine the quantitative and qualitative state of workplace lighting and its correlation with mental and psychological aspects, such as visual fatigue, workload, and drowsiness, among computer operators. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was carried out on 120 computer operators from industries in Tehran between October and December 2022. The HAGNER EC1 lux meter model was employed to gauge the quantity and intensity of local lighting at the distance between the operator and the monitor screen and on the surface of the desks of individuals, while taking into account the quality attributes of the monitor and office rooms. A four-part questionnaire, encompassing demographic data and visual fatigue inventory, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), was devised to assess visual fatigue, workload, and drowsiness of individuals from the light conditions of the workplace, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 26 with a significance level of P <0.05. Results: The mean local lighting intensity at the level of the examined workstation and computer were 199.80 ± 15.22 and 45.12 ± 5.85, respectively. Significant correlations were found between display screen lighting (p= 0.025), localized lighting level at work (p= 0.014), and type of light source (p<0.001) with visual fatigue, workload, and drowsiness, respectively. Furthermore, the outcomes of the Pearson correlation test revealed that the visual fatigue scale had a significant and positive correlation with workload (r = 0.397, p = 0.002) and drowsiness (r = 0.295, p= 0.024). Conclusion: Optimizing workplace lighting and computer levels can significantly enhance psychological health by mitigating visual fatigue, workload, and drowsiness risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of offering optimal lighting conditions in the office workplace in terms of quality and quantity to boost the psychological health and well-being of office workers. © 2024 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.