Abstract
Purpose—This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of MSD pain in various anatomical regions among nurses. Method—A cross-sectional study involving a self-administered questionnaire by registered nurses with clinical experience. Data was collected using convenience sampling after obtaining informed consent. The results were drawn from a total of 300 nurses. Results—The nurses presented with occasional mental exhaustion (44.3%) and often physical exhaustion (44.0%). Almost all (97.3%) the nurses complained of having work-related pain during the last 12 months. Body parts with the most pain were the lower back (86.7%), ankles (86.7%), neck (86.0%), shoulders (85.0%), lower legs (84.7%) and upper back (84.3%). The pain frequency was rated as occasional pain for the neck and upper back, pain was often felt for the rest of the parts. Nurses complained of severe pain in the lower back (19.7%), right shoulder (29.7%) and left shoulder (30.3%). The frequency of having musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region was increased with age, lower education level, female gender, high BMI, job tenure and lifestyle. Conclusions—Nurses’ WRMSD complaints should be taken seriously to curb further risk and musculoskeletal hazards.
Highlights
work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the largest contributors to the occupational disease burden and are largely related to ergonomic factors found in the workplace [1]
Discomfort) and any attribute, characteristic or exposure the nursing population experiences that increase the likelihood of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs)
This study showed a high prevalence of WRMSDs in nurses (97.3%), with the highest prevalence rates being for low back and ankle/feet pain, followed by neck and shoulder pain, whereas the prevalence rate for elbow pain was lowest among the thirteen body regions covered by the study
Summary
WRMSDs are the largest contributors to the occupational disease burden and are largely related to ergonomic factors found in the workplace [1]. As evidenced in a variety of ergonomic studies, the workplace has not adapted to the changing technological advances [3] Developed countries, such as United States, Sweden, United Kingdom and Japan, are quite concerned about safety and health since they significantly contribute to the productivity of human resources, which has an impact on a country’s economy. The issue of safety and health has become the main agenda to ensure a safe working environment and does not pose a risk to employees These risks lead to employees working in environments that are not comfortable and contribute to the high burden of WRMSDs. In studies performed in the Indian and Portuguese populations, results were obtained showing a higher prevalence of WRMSDs in the nursing workers [4,5]
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