Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder and Its Associated Factors among Nurses Working in Jimma Zone Public Hospitals, South West Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background - Hospital nursing is a high-risk occupation for developing work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders like low back pain/injury, neck and shoulder and problems have been reported to be common among nursing personnel. Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational problem among nurses; however, there is paucity of information on work related musculoskeletal disorder among nurses in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess work related musculoskeletal disorder and its associated factors among nurses working in Jimma Zone Public Hospitals, South west Ethiopia. Method-- Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma Zone public Hospitals from March 12-27, 2015. The study was conducted on 333 participants .Sample size was proportionally allocated to the respective hospitals. The participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique quantitative data and qualitative informants were selected purposely. Quantitative data were entered in to computer by using Epi-data 3.1 version and then it was exported to SPSS version 21.0 and cleaned for analysis. Percentage, Frequency, mean and standard deviation were calculated. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to examine associations between dependent & independent variables. P. value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results were summarized and presented by tables and charts. Qualitative data were triangulated to the major objective areas. Results: - Three hundred thirty three questionnaires distributed and 301 returned yielding response rate 90.3%. The mean age of respondent‟s was 26.6±5.7years. One hundred fifty nine 159(52.8%) were male and 180(59.8%) were single. A 12-month prevalence of Work related Musculo skeletal Disorders at anybody site was 60.8% and highest report was seen in the low back one 124( 67.8%) followed by the neck 44(24%) and knees 43(23.6%).Lifting and transferring dependent patients [AOR 2.1(1.1-4.3)], wound care [AOR 4.2(1.9-8.9)], medical ward [AOR 9.6(2.4-38.3)] and theatre/Intensive care unit [AOR 3.4 (1.2-9.7)], Working in awkward and cramped position [AOR 9.7 (2.2-42.6)], Working in the same positions for long period [AOR, 6.1(1.3-28.7)] and Bending or twisting back during work [AOR 5.1(1.1-23.7)] were independent predictors of Work related Musculo skeletal disorder. Conclusion and Recommendation – the prevalence of Work related Musculo skeletal disorder among nurses working in Jimma zone public hospitals was 60.8%. Lifting and transferring dependent patients, wound dressing, working with confused patients, working unit, working in awkward postures, working in the same positions for long period and Bending or twisting back during work were significant factors associated with work related musculoskeletal disorder among nurses. In service refreshment training about Safe patient handling and ergonomics and creating conducive working environment were recommended