Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Nurses Working in Hospitals of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Yi Yang,Hua Yao,Amei Huang,Fuye Li,Yanan Wang,Li Zhang,Ping Yan

doi:10.1155/2017/5757108

Abstract

Objective To investigate the status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in nurses working in the hospitals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods The prevalence of WMSDs since working and in the previous 12 months was evaluated using self-administrated modified musculoskeletal questionnaire based on North European questionnaire. In this cross-sectional study, 6674 nurses involved in the nursing profession were selected from 16 hospitals using the stratified cluster sampling method. Results The most commonly affected regions by WMSDs were lower back, neck, shoulder, and back, with an annual prevalence of 62.71%, 59.77%, 49.66%, and 39.50%, respectively. Statistical differences were noticed in the annual prevalence of WMSDs in those with different ages (P < 0.01) and working durations (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the following risk factors were associated with the prevalence of WMSDs: working duration of ≥6 years; working in the Emergency Department, Department of Anesthesia, or Supply Room; night shift of more than once, working duration of >40 hrs per week; poor health status; and feeling of fatigue. Rest time of >10 min and no history of WMSDs were the protective factors of WMSDs. Conclusions Shift and working/rest duration was closely related to WMSDs.

Highlights

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), one of the major factors for the early exit from the labor market, are usually related to increasing compensation and health costs, reduced productivity, and lower quality of life [1, 2]
WMSDs have been listed as occupational disorders by International Labor Organization (ILO) since 1960
The results indicated a working time of ≥6 yrs, working in the Emergency Department, Department of Anesthesia, Department of Supply Room, shift, night shift of more than 1 per week, working time of ≥40 hrs per week, poor health conditions, and fatigue were the risk factors of WMSDs

Summary

Introduction

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), one of the major factors for the early exit from the labor market, are usually related to increasing compensation and health costs, reduced productivity, and lower quality of life [1, 2]. The major features of WMSDs included pain, discomfort, and movement limitation mainly presenting in the lower back, shoulder, neck, forearm, and hands [3]. WMSDs have been listed as occupational disorders by International Labor Organization (ILO) since 1960. The annual prevalence of WMSDs is up to 50% in the nurses with a life-long prevalence of 35–80%, which is considered as the major cause for the decrease of working efficiency [6, 7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion