Masters Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health) by Subject "Backache -- Incidence -- Risk factors"

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    The prevalence and associated occupational risk factors of lower back pain among registered nurses at Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa : a cross-sectional study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Tafaune, Geoffrey; Meintjes, Willem Albertus Jacobus; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Health Systems and Public Health.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Low back pain (LBP) complaints are the most frequently reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses worldwide. However, few epidemiological studies on occupational LBP among nurses have been carried out in Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of work-related low back pain and associated risk factors among nursing professionals at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with an analytic component was implemented at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire, based on the internationally validated Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, was modified for local use. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation and percentages) and inferential (including logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyze data. Alpha level was set at p< 0,05. Results: A total of 280 completed questionnaires were analyzed (response rate 70,0%). The median age of the participants was 47 years (IQR 38,0 - 52,3) and the majority were female (97%). The 12-month period-prevalence of LBP was 73,2% and the lifetime prevalence was 80,7%. Significant risk factors for reported LBP included manual handling (carrying, lifting, or moving) of heavy inanimate materials and medical equipment (aOR: 3,70 95%CI: 1,85 - 7,41). Both working in the adult ICU (aOR: 0,21 95% CI: 0,06 - 0,66) and working night shifts (aOR: 0,31 95%CI: 0,14 - 0,73) were found to be protective. However, according to the nurses’ perceptions, working in the same awkward position for prolonged periods and continuing to work while injured or hurt were strong contributory factors to low back pain. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders affect more than 80% of nursing professionals in Tygerberg Hospital, the lower back being the most commonly affected body region. Although several studies have implicated direct manual handling of patients and work-related psychosocial risk factors as predictors of LBP among nurses, this study showed that manual handling of inanimate materials and medical equipment (e.g., laden trolleys, beds, oxygen cylinders etc.) are strongly associated with low back pain among nurses. Further research focusing on the ergonomics of manual material handling of inanimate objects and equipment on the prevalence of low back pain among the nurses is recommended.