Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in Nurses Working at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
BACK GROUND:Studies showed slightly higher lifetime prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) among nurses and it is also a common cause of morbidity in the general as well as the working population. But, it is under studied in nurses working in Ethiopia.
Objective:The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of low back pain and associated risk factors among nurses working at Tikur Anbessa specialized and Zewditu Memorial hospitals.
Methods and materials:A cross-sectional study including all randomlyselected nurses currently working in the above two hospitals was conducted using a structured self-administered questionnaire.
Results:Three hundred sixteen nurses (123 [38.9%] males and 193 [61.1%] females) participated in the study. The 12 month prevalence of LBP was 147 (46.5%). The prevalence was slightly higher infemale nurses (50.3%).LBP was significantly associated with working hours, bad body posturing, having direct patientcontact and previous history of trauma. 74 (50.3%) and 13 (8.8%) nurses reported mild and severe LBP, respectively. Chronic LBP accounted for 83.7% cases. Only 63 (42.9%) of nurses with LBP sought treatment. 49 (27.1%) nurses had been off-duty in one time or the other in the past one year and the total work days lost were 427 days.
Conclusion:Though it is not associated with a significant loss of work days, LBP is prevalent among nurses.Different occupational and non-occupational factors increased the risk. This can decrease the day to day effectiveness and job satisfaction of nurses and affect quality of their lives as well as patient care.
Description
Keywords
back pain