Work Related Neck Pain and Its Associated Factors among Registered Female Nurses Who Are Computer Users in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Abstract

Work related neck pain is common problem in nurses, especially among those who are intensive computer users. It is generally agreed that the its etiology is multidimensional which is associated with, and influenced by a complex array of socio-demographic, work related, lifestyle, ergonomic and psychosocial factors. Across sectional study was conducted to in August-October 2012 in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia to estimate the 1 month and 12 months prevalence rates of neck pain among registered female nurses and to determine which socio-demographic, work related, lifestyle, ergonomic and psychosocial factors are associated with 12 months prevalence rate. A total of 250 respondents have been selected by using stratified sampling method. Data was collected via self-reporting modified Dutch musculoskeletal questionnaire. The response rate was (96.8%) and data was analyzed by using SPSS version 19. Age of respondents was around 18 to 52 years old with the mean age of 32.31±9.27 years. The point and 12 month period prevalence rates of neck pain in registered female nurses were (36%) and (45.5%) respectively. Majority of respondents were Malay (97.9%), married (72.3%), not doing physical exercise (69%), having highest education, Diploma in Nursing (88.8%) and working in night shifts (76.9%). Generally, the respondents were reported that their neck pain was associated with working hours on computer for more than 4 hours (56.7%); neck bending (56.4%) and Personnel shortage (53.2%). In bivariate; Chi square analysis, the result of present study indicated that there were seven factors significantly associated with neck pain i.e. age, BMI, physical exercises, night shifts, neck bending, prolonged working hours on computer and personnel shortage. Further analysis, by using multiple logistic regression showed that age groups 30-39 (p= 0.011, 95% CI 1.233- 5.5044) and 40-49 (p= 0.040, 95% CI 1.041- 5.311), physical exercises (p= 0.025, 95% CI 1.106- 4.384), working time on computer (p= 0.029, 95% CI 1.075-3.725), night shifts (p= 0.001, 95% CI 0.938-3.144), personnel shortage (p= 0.005, 95% CI 1.334-4.908) and neck bending (p= 0.013, 95% CI 1.192-4.299) were significant predictors to work related neck pain.The results of present study indicated that socio-demographic, lifestyle, ergonomic factors and some of psychosocial variables were associated with neck pain. These association patterns suggest also opportunities for intervention strategies in order to stimulate an ergonomic work place setting to improve physical exercises awareness and to increase a positive psychosocial work environment.