Experience of occupational low back pain among Class III hospital nurses: a qualitative research

Abstract

Objective To explore the nurses' real feelings in Class Ⅲ hospital with occupational low back pain (OLBP) so as to provide reference in the improvement of nurses' occupational protection. Methods In August 2018, 12 nurses with OLBP in a Class Ⅲ hospital were interviewed in depth by using phenomenological method of qualitative research, and data were analyzed by content analysis method. Results Two themes were concluded which were: nurses' perception on the risk factors of OLBP and nurses' psychological feeling on the severity of OLBP. Conclusions Nurses' perception on the risk factors of OLBP is mainly related to their occupational characteristics. The psychological experience of its severity has negative impact on their body and mind; the nurses themselves and the nursing managers should pay enough attention to it and take a number of occupational protective measures to actively prevent the occurrence of OLBP in nurses. Key words: Nurse; Occupational low back pain; Occupational safety; Psychological experience; Qualitative research