Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in nurses working at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital and Zewditu memorial hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-11
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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 randomly selected 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 in
female nurses (50.3%).
LBP was significantly associated with working hours, bad body posturing, having direct patient
contact 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.
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Keywords
back pain