Knowledge Attitudes and Practices in Ergometry Among Nurses at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital

Abstract

Occupational medicine was born in France after the First World War and gradually the range of occupational diseases and accidents widened. Today, the community is concerned about the well-being of the workplace, and thinks in terms of occupational health. Major surveys identify not only the physical but also the psychological state of health of employees. Nurses are particularly a population at risk because of their often-morbid working conditions. The objective of our study was to raise awareness and show the importance of ergonomics by assessing practical knowledge and attitudes in ergonomics among nurses. To this end, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15 to June 20 at the Regional Hospital of Bafoussam (HRB) on sample of 110 nurses. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered for data collection. The data collected was analyzed by software Epi Info 7.2.2.7 and presented in table and graph form. In total, of the 110 nurses surveyed, 58, 18% [CI: 48, 39%- 67, 52%] (64/110) had a poor level of knowledge in ergonomics. 74, 55% [CI: 65, 35- 82, 37%] (82/110) had harmful ergonomic practices. 57, 27% [CI: 47, 48- 66, 66%] (63/110) suffered from musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics practices were significantly associated with the musculoskeletal disorders at the nurse of the Bafoussam Regional Hospital [OR: 3, 07; CI: 1, 13% - 10, 04%; P= 0,028]. Ergonomics practices are not well known in the nursing profession, and nurses need training to improve performance and reduce the occurrence of occupational accidents.