Workplace Stresses and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a significant occupational problem among employees and workers. This study attempted to explore the effect of stressors in the hospital environment on nurses' development of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a random sample of 123 hospital nurses from Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected during working days over 3 months starting from January 2014. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire for stresses and musculoskeletal disorders at work. Musculoskeletal disorders were used as the dependent variables, while demographic, physical, and psychosocial work factors were used as independent variables. Results: Our study revealed prevalence of low back ache, neck ache, shoulder ache, arm-elbow ache, and hand-wrist pain rated 48.3%, 39.5%, 33.1%, 31.3%, and 23.4%, respectively. The findings showed significant statistical association between musculoskeletal complaints in neck and upper extremity with exposed stress levels (P = 0.04). Musculoskeletal symptoms rates increased in employees experienced poor work posture (P = 0.01), fatigue (P = 0.04), and work-family conflict (P = 0.04). Conclusions:This study provides indication of the relationship between work environment stress levels and musculoskeletal disorders. Physical and psychosocial stressors should be considered for the development of preventive measures.

Exploring the factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders risk among hospital nurses

“…The shoulder, elbow joint, wrist, knee joint, hip joint, and ankle joint were further divided into the left and right side. Numerous studies have indicated that shoulder, neck, and lower back discomfort are health problems commonly seen in nurses [3,11,16,32,33] The results of the present study indicated that the body locations where discomfort was most commonly felt among participants was, in descending order, the right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and lower back, with prevalence rates of 85.8%, 80.9%, 62.4%, and 60.4%, respectively. This result is similar to those of many other studies.…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is defined as connective tissue or musculoskeletal disease that causes muscle pain or injury due to sudden or continuous contact, repeated exercise, force, vibration, or incorrect posture movements [1,2]. MSD has been recognized as one of the most common occupational injuries, and nurses in the medical service industry have been identified as a high-risk group for such injuries [3]. The worldwide epidemiological studies have revealed a high incidence and prevalence of low back musculoskeletal complaints among nurses [4].…”

“…Numerous studies have shown that nurses have one of the highest prevalence rates for MSD, which is a factor that contributes to reductions in the nursing workforce and negatively affects the quality of care [3]. The highest prevalence rate for MSD among Taiwanese nurses is also suggested by various studies, such as the Survey of Perceptions of Safety and Health in the Work Environment.…”

“…MSDs consisted of sprains, strains, lacerations, pain in the back or other locations, carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle systems and connective tissue diseases caused by bending of the waist, grasping, twisting, excessive use of force, or repetitive actions and are the most common occupational injury among professional care workers [1]. Other than acute trauma, the causes of most cases of MSD are repetitive actions, excessive load-bearing and the slow development of poor posture over an extended period of time [3]. Cheng et al [19] administered the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to 470 nurses and discovered that the lower back (77.2%), neck (64.2%), and shoulder (58.7%) were the locations on the body with the highest prevalence rates of MSD.…”

Non-cancer disease prevalence and association with occupational radiation exposure among Korean radiation workers

“…The main causes of musculoskeletal diseases involve lifting heavy items, working in awkward postures, and performing similar tasks repetitively 37 . These ergonomic risk factors have been reported to be the most important factors contributing to the incidence of musculoskeletal diseases; however, psychosocial factors have also been emphasized recently [38][39][40] . Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a subgroup of musculoskeletal system diseases and the most common autoimmune disease 41 , has been associated with a family history of RA and psychological stresses such as depression and anxiety 42,43 .…”