Occupational factors and low back pain: a cross-sectional study of Bangladeshi female nurses

Abstract

BackgroundThe suffering from low back pain (LBP) is very common among nurses. The high prevalence rates of LBP are observed in many countries. Many back injuries are due to individual and work-related factors. Our aim is to investigate whether there is an association of occupational factors with LBP among the female nurses who are currently working in tertiary hospitals of Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with 229 female nurses from two selected tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using a standard structured questionnaire on four different measures of LBP along with questions on socio-demographic, occupational factors, physical and psychological factors.ResultsPrevalence rates of LBP that lasted for at least 1 day, chronic LBP, intense pain and sought medical care because of LBP during the last 12 months were 72.9, 31.8, 24.4 and 36.2%, respectively. The multiple logistic regression analyses indicates that insufficient supporting staffs, overtime working hours and manual lifting in a working environment are associated with LBP. Besides, age and parity are found positively associated with chronic LBP.ConclusionThe prevalence of LBP among nurses in Bangladesh is high and should be actively addressed. Certain occupational factors play a key role in developing LBP among nurses. Nurses to patients ratio should be taken into consideration to reduce the occurrence of LBP among nurses employed in hospitals.

Prevalence and Occupational Factors Associated with Low Back Pain Among the Female Garment Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

“…Therefore, a total of four different measures were used to characterize LBP. The similar type of LBP measurement was done in few other studies [13,15] …”

“…Due to the nature of the job, the LBP is found very common phenomenon among female garment workers, but the study concerning the prevalence and occupational factors associated with LBP is yet to an inquest especially with Bangladeshi female workers. Sanjoy et al studied the LBP among Bangladeshi nurses and found that around 31% of the nurses are having chronic LBP [13]. Moreover, the majority of literature on LBP is restricted to industrialized countries.…”

Road traffic delays and musculoskeletal health complaints among full-time bank employees: A cross-sectional study in Dhaka city

“…However, two other studies conducted in Bangladesh found that the prevalence of LBP was 72.9% and 63% among nurses and garments workers, respectively [31][32].…”

Workload Analysis and Ergonomic Design of Nursing Tasks when Caring for Chronically Sick Patients

“…Of course, it should be remembered  That LBP can have many non-work-related causes, • The emergence of LBP is a complex, yet unexhausted interaction of:  genetic disposition  lifestyle and nutrition  age and gender  sport and leisure behavior  stress factors from work As an example, a single study on female carers in Bangladesh is mentioned, which refers to the combination of • Insufficient support from supervisors • Overtime and • load handling Which were clearly linked to the emergence of LBP. The age, BMI and number of nurses also played a role [6]. A long-term follow-up study on back-friendly patient transfer is available from Michaelis and Hermann [7].…”

“…This situation is supported worldwide in many, including epidemiological, studies. For example, in Sanjoy, et al [6], 73% of 229 examined nurses reported complaints in the lumbar spine area and 32% about chronic lumbar spine diseases. A study of 2140 nurses in Portugal shows a prevalence rate of 61% for lumbar spine complaints and illnesses.…”