Digital Device Usage and Ergonomic Health Risks in Higher Education Students: A Survey-Based Study

Digital devices play an important role in teaching and learning in higher education. College and university students regularly use laptops, smartphones, and tablets for their learning content, clas assignments, and communication. While these devices support learning, long hours of use without proper posture or regular breaks can lead to ergonomic health problems. This study investigates digital device usage patterns and ergonomic health risks among higher education students in Botswana. A survey was analyzed using SPSS statistical techniques including descriptive statistics, chi‑square tests, and Pearson correlation. The results show high levels of daily screen exposure, particularly through smartphones, and a high prevalence of ergonomic symptoms such as eye strain, neck pain, headache, fatigue, and back pain. Findings suggest that increased screen time is associated with ergonomic health risks, highlighting the need for ergonomic awareness and institutional interventions in higher education environments.