Abstract
Background: To determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among nurses and midwives, the associated job risk factors and the adopted coping strategies so as to provide baseline information in Ghana.Design: A cross-sectional study.Participants: One hundred and five (105) registered general nurses (RGN), 16 registered community health nurses (RCHN) and 13 registered midwives (RM) were purposively recruited for the study in Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal (LEKMA) Hospital, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Interventions: An adapted self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding demographics, prevalence and pattern of WMSDs, associated job risk factors and the reported coping strategies commonly employed by the participants. Point- prevalence of WMSDs, coping strategies and risk factors were summarized with percentage. The prevalence was further analyzed with regression analysis to determine its correlation with BMI, age, years of experience and type of profession at p<0.05 level of significance. Results: The 12-months prevalence was 79.0%, 53.8% and 18.8% for the RGN, RM, and RCHN respectively. Lifting or transferring of dependent patients 70(52.1%), inadequate training on injury prevention 63(46.5%) and working in awkward or cramped positions 53(39.6%) were the most perceived job risk factors. Forty-six (34.3%) participants commonly sought assistance from colleagues in handling heavy patients, 44(32.8%) modified their positions and 27(20.3%) modified their caring procedure as coping strategies.Conclusion: There was high point prevalence of self-reported WMSDs among the sampled nurses and midwives and lifting of patients was identified as the major risk factor. The findings have implication for body mechanics know-how of the nurses and midwives. Funding: LEKMA Hospital Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, coping strategies, nursing, midwifery
Highlights
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are isolated or combined disorders in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage or spinal disc characterized by discomfort, impairment, disability or persistent pain caused or aggravated mainly by the performance of work and the effects of the immediate environment in which work is carried out.[1,2]Irrespective of the types of physical jobs, the disorders often occur in the low back, neck, shoulder and hand/wrist which often cause temporary or permanent occupational disabilities.[2]
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported WMSDs, the possible risk factors and the coping strategies nurses and midwives used during their normal routine at work in a secondary healthcare facility in Ghana as a reference for further studies
Association between prevalence of WMSDs and socio-demographic characteristics The finding in this study showed a strong association between the prevalence of WMSDs and types of profession
Summary
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are isolated or combined disorders in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage or spinal disc characterized by discomfort, impairment, disability or persistent pain caused or aggravated mainly by the performance of work and the effects of the immediate environment in which work is carried out.[1,2]Irrespective of the types of physical jobs, the disorders often occur in the low back, neck, shoulder and hand/wrist which often cause temporary or permanent occupational disabilities.[2]. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are isolated or combined disorders in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage or spinal disc characterized by discomfort, impairment, disability or persistent pain caused or aggravated mainly by the performance of work and the effects of the immediate environment in which work is carried out.[1,2]. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among health care workers[5,6,7] of which nurses and midwives form the main thrust workforces globally.[8] The etiology of WMSDs among nurses and midwives have been attributed to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors.[6,9] www.ghanamedj.org Volume 52 Number 4 December 2018
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