Predictors and prevalence of lower quadrant work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hospital-based nurses: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant problem for nurses. It is thus important to investigate nurses’ WMSDs prevalence and comprehensive predictors including motor, mental, and lifestyle factors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and predictors of lower quadrant WMSDs among Jordanian nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional design, using self-administered questionnaires, was utilized. Outcome measures included Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sociodemographic data, and self-reported work ergonomics. Descriptive analyses were used to determine lower quadrant WMSDs prevalence and regression analyses were used to assess their predictors. RESULTS: A total of 597 nurses participated in the study. Twelve-month prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs were 77.4% in lower back, 22.3% in hips, 37.5% in knees, and 28.5% in ankles and feet. Older age, longer years of experience, high workload, poor work habits and ergonomics, high physical activity level, availability of patient handling equipment, handling policies, stress, and anxiety were significant predictors (p< 0.05) of lower quadrant WMSDs. CONCLUSIONS: Jordanian nurses have a high prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs. Many modifiable risk factors of WMSDs were identified. Future studies need to design effective treatment and preventive strategies for nurses’ WMSDs to improve their work efficiency and wellbeing.

Risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among health workers

“…According to (Almhdawi et al, 2020;Latina et al, 2020 Studies by (Ouni et al, 2020) also agree that high levels of physical activity can cause musculoskeletal disorders in nurses. Study by states that stress, burnout and sleep problems are risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in nurses.…”

“…;Lin et al, 2020;Passali et al, 2018;Raithatha & Mishra, 2016;Tugba & Andsoy, 2021;Yan et al, 2017;Younan et al, 2019) long work experience can cause musculoskeletal disorders in nurses, while study by(Akodu & Ashalejo, 2019) states that work experience is not associated with musculoskeletal disorders in nurses. Study by(Almhdawi et al, 2020) mentioned several risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in nurses, namely high workload, poor work habits, ergonomics, manual handling of equipment, stress, anxiety, and high levels of physical activity.…”

Quality of life and its health and occupational determinants among hospital-based nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results of this study might be informative to reduce work-related stress challenging hospitalbased nurses during similar pandemics and regular circumstances [9,12,13,19]. Musculoskeletal pain challenging nurses might be managed using proper manual handling and ergonomic training and by consulting rehabilitation professionals [49,50].…”

“…Furthermore, depression, insomnia, stress, low mood, and irritability might be noticed during health pandemics [10]. Many health problems and challenges among nurses have been reported worldwide [11][12][13]. About more than 50% of European nurses have suffered from musculoskeletal disorders and about 19% have mental disorders [14].…”

“…Out of pandemic situations, studies reported that hospital-based nurses have relatively low HRQoL level, which tended to statistically associate with many demographical and occupational factors [11]. Previous studies suggested that nurses are subjected to high levels of mental health challenges (such as depression, stress, and anxiety), work related musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep quality deficits that might hinder nurses' wellbeing [12,13,19].…”