WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS: AN ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION PROGRAM AMONG AL-AHRAR HOSPITAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS NURSES

Abstract

Introduction: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders are common among healthcare workers especially nurses, and because they are preventable, attention should be raised towards the importance of training as the first step for improving both health of nurses and quality of patient care thus decreasing both human and economic costs. Aim of work: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders, to implement an ergonomic training program and to evaluate the effect of ergonomic intervention program nurses’ physical workload and work style. Materials and methods: intensive care units’ nurses from two hospitals participated in the study and completed questionnaires including Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, physical work load questionnaire and Workstyle Short Form questionnaire. An intervention training program was conducted in one hospital on ergonomic principles, musculoskeletal disorders, patient manual-handling techniques, stretching and relaxation exercises for major body regions, other hospital regardedas control. Evaluation of the effect of the program was conducted after 6 months. Results: Low back pain was the commonest cause of job change among intervention and control hospitals nurses (11.9%, 13.0% respectively). Most of nurses reported a moderate physical workload. There was significant reduction in physical work load and improvement in the Work style after intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Considering the fact of decreased resources needed to equip the Egyptian hospitals with advanced patient handling equipment and as a glance of hope to improve nurses’ health and safety while performing their job, our ergonomic training program showed significant improvement in nurses’ activities that will help in reducing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) and thus improvement of their quality of life.