Practice of Proper Body Mechanics and Ergonomics in a Teaching Hospital, South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Over 59 million healthcare workers are prone to occupational hazards including biological, physical, ergonomic, environmental and psychosocial and practicing proper body mechanics will determine how well, safe and far every worker will go in the course of his or her job. The aim of this study was to assess how well hospital workers practice proper body mechanics and ergonomics while carrying out their official duties. A descriptive design with sample size of 390 was used and the data was collected using researcher-modified questionnaires. Frequency of each demographic variable across the questions was determined on the average of 57.7% practice of ergonomics and body mechanics by the health workers. Inferential statistics of Chi-square was considered at 0.05 level of significance to determine the relationship between the demographic variables and the questions on practice and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solution, version 21. The result showed [“straightening of knees and bending of back when lifting an object from the floor” - marital status (P = 0.025), occupation (P = 0.036) and working years (P = 0.024)], [“using of the principles of body mechanics during the procedure for removing a patient from bed to chair and vice versa” - sex (P = 0.001) and working years (P = 0.000)], [“having seat at work with a forward protrusion at the waist (low back) area” - sex (P = 0.040) and occupation (P = 0.001)], [“standing to carry out one’s duties” - occupation (P = 0.000) and educational qualification (P = 0.002) and [“how long standing on a stretch without sitting down” - occupation (P = 0.000) and working years (P = 0.034)]. Other results are; [“asking for help from a friend when trying to lift big patient or object” - occupation (P = 0.001)], “having work tables close to their chest level when seated” - marital status (P = 0.050)], [“their feet touching the ground when seated” - occupation (P = 0.010)], [“having their seat at work with an arm/ back rest” - working years (P = 0.012)], [“sitting upright to do work” - working years (P = 0.008)], [“often get up from their seats to stretch the legs” - educational qualification (P = 0.001)], [“If need be, their chair/table to be changed to conform to their individual structure” - working years (P = 0.008) and [“the type of foot wear they are often comfortable with” - sex (P =0.006)]. It was concluded that healthcare workers in Rivers State do not practice proper body mechanics and those that do are as a result of their occupation and working years.