The Incidence of Low Back Pain among Theatre Nurses: A Case Study of University of Ilorin and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Studies have shown that low back pain is common and accounts for a large nu mber of reported disabilit ies among nurses who also happen to have one of the h ighest levels of back injury in all occupation groups.The aim of the current study was to determine the incidences of lo w back pain among theatre nurses in university of Ilorin and Obafemi Awo lowo university Teaching hospitals. A structured questionnaire was the tool of data collection. The study population and sample included all theatre nurses in all the theatre related sections. A total of 80 nurses participated in the study. The first set requested socio-demographic data, fo llo wed by the Nord ic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire which examined lo w back pain prevalence. A response rate of 91% was obtained. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the demographic data of the study sample, wh ich were presented using frequency tables and expressed as percentages, means and standard deviations. 57 (78.1%) respondents experienced the first episode of back pain after co mmencing nursing, mo re females (70%) than males (30%) were employed. It can be seen that about 44 out of 57 subjects who had experienced back pain in their career experienced it at least once a month or more frequently. 64.91% subjects rated their pain as moderate pain. The largest single category was 'low back', with 77.19% of the 57 analyzable responses. 34 respondents said they Lift patient within bed without assistance.The high incidence of back pain is brought about by factors which seem to be entirely preventable. It is apparent that nurses are taking risks or are pursuing questionable practices.It was therefore concluded that the prevalence rate of 78.1% is high and efforts should be made by the nurses, ministry of health and the country at large on how to reduce the prevalence rate.