EC Orthopaedics

Musculoskeletal problems resulting from manual handling cover many activities, including pulling, lifting, pushing, restraining, holding, throwing, and carrying patients, and are often reported among healthcare workers worldwide. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in hospital nurses. This cross-sectional research was carried out in Northeastern Thailand at public hospitals. Between April and May 2022, three months of information collection were completed. The self-administered questionnaires assessing their demographic characteristic and musculoskeletal symptoms were distributed to 250 hospital nurses. Finally, 200 hospital nurses who met the criteria were accepted to participate in the research. Musculoskeletal disorders were found in 70.0% of hospital nurses. Musculoskeletal disorders were reported in a variety of body parts, with the lower back (85.7%) being the most commonly reported, followed by the upper back (67.9%) and the hips/thighs (57.1%) and Years of employment (OR 4.128, 95% CI 1.793 - 8.644), prolonged standing (OR 2.007, 95% CI 1.645 - 5.379), heavy load handling (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.07 - 6.73), repetitive movement (OR 2.986, 95% CI 1.890 - 7.273) and heavy load handling (OR 2.530, 95% CI 1.549 - 5.643) were factors influencing the causality of musculoskeletal disorders. These findings imply that intervention programs based on the participatory ergonomic (PE) approach and coping strategies for musculoskeletal disorders should be recommended for hospital nurses to reduce the rate of occupational hazards.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Risk Factors; Hospital Nurses

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