A Multidisciplinary Work-Related Low Back Pain Predictor Questionnaire: Psychometric Evaluation of Iranian Patient-Care Workers

Abstract

Study DesignPsychometric evaluation design.PurposePsychometric evaluation of a multidisciplinary work-related low back pain predictor questionnaire (MWRLBPPQ) of Iranians patient-care workers based on the social cognitive theory.Overview of LiteratureHealthcare is one of the professions in which work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent. The chronic low back pain experienced by patient caregivers can negatively impact their professional performance, and patient handling in a hospital is the main cause of low back pain in this population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out in Qom, Iran from July 2014 to November 2014. A MWRLBPPQ based on nine concepts of the social cognitive theory and existing literature regarding chronic low back pain was developed. Ten patient-care workers first completed the questionnaire as a pilot test, allowing the ambiguities of the instrument to be resolved. Exploratory factor analysis was used to confirm construct validity. This questionnaire was distributed among 452 patient-care workers in hospitals located in different geographically areas in Qom, Iran. Cronbach's Alpha was calculated to assess reliability.ResultsIn all, 452 caregivers of patients with mean age of 37.71 (standard deviation=8.3) years participated in the study. An exploratory factor analysis loaded seven concepts of self-efficacy, knowledge, outcome perception, self-control, emotional coping, and self-efficacy in overcoming impediments and challenges in the environment. All concepts were jointly accounted for 50.08% of variance of behavior change. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed favorable internal consistency (alpha=0.83), and test-retest of the scale with 2-week intervals indicated an appropriate stability for the MWRLBPPQ.ConclusionsThe MWRLBPPQ is a reliable and valid theory-based instrument that can be used to predict factors influencing work-related low back pain among workers who lift and transfer patients in hospitals.

A Multidisciplinary Workplace Intervention for Chronic Low Back Pain among Nursing Assistants in Iran

“…The educational program was based on four concepts of social cognitive theory that have been shown to predict healthy behaviors among nursing assistants suffering from low back pain. The procedure used to determine these predictors has been described elsewhere [ 11 ]. Because of the nature of the intervention, we could not mask the participants or treatment providers to the treatment assignment, but blinding was used for the data analyses.…”

“…After assessing the content validity, the questionnaire was simplified so that each participant could answer the questions easily. These procedures have been described in a previous study [ 11 ]. A pilot study was conducted among 25 nursing assistants from different units in Qom hospitals to determine the face validity of each question.…”

Designing and Psychometric Evaluation of Breast Self-Examination Behavior Predicting Scale (BSEBPS)

“…A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed to extract the underlying factors factor. Factor loadings equal or greater than 0.4 were considered appropriate (17). Eigenvalues above 1 and scree plots were used for determining the number of statements.…”