The data in Table 4 gives an overall assessment of the respondents’ computer work environment in terms of
workload, tasks design and office type. The majority of the respondents assessed their work load in the office as
high while a minority said it was very low. 54.3% of the respondents considered their overall work environment as
not friendly, while 42.5% considered it to be friendly. Friendliness of the computer work environment was assessed
in terms of task design, management strategies, physical layout (equipment) like antiglare screen, air-conditioner,
adjustable chairs, spacious office, and ergonomics guidelines. Thus, friendliness related to available equipment in
the computer workplace and not in terms of work colleagues. The most popular office type was a multi-person
office. 70 % of the respondents employing a multi-person office arrangement reported that they lacked adequate
space in the office. As a result, colleagues and users tend to sit closer than visually comfortable on a “too narrow”
desk. This in turn impedes their free stretching and movement of body parts to relieve pains. From the results in
Table 4, the respondents also reported that when their work extended to long unbroken periods of activity, they
invariably stopped working because of the pain experienced in performing this computer work. This pain could
be attributed to respondents taking breaks regularly to attend to other pressing issues instead of resting eyes,
stretching and exercising for a short period to reduce stress. It could also be attributed to the long period of
work before taking breaks as well as the nature of their offices (not very spacious).