Risk Factors Related to Low Back Pain among Maternal Child Health Nurses

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the risk factors related to back pain among maternal child health nurses. From sample size calculation, the total number of 360 maternal child health nurses met the inclusion criteria. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Factors correlated with back pain were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results showed that most of subjects were female (97.22%), average age was 37.52 years (SD =10.65), average BMI was 21.20 kg/m², work experience was 15.25 years (SD = 11.11). The prevalence of low back pain during the last 12 months period was 58.61% (95%CI: 53.33-63.75). Factors associated with low back pain of maternal child health nurses were work characteristics including taking baby for a bath (ORadj=0.57, 95%CI = 0.31-0.90, p-value = 0.035), nursing procedures i.e. injection, on intravenous fluids, wound suture (ORadj = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.30-4.04, p-value = 0.004), and posture of handling of maternal child patient (ORadj = 1.47, 95%CI = 0.97-2.85, p-value = 0.030). Therefore, maternal child health nurses should be aware of ergonomics factors while they are giving treatment and handling patients. The organization shall set up an active surveillance program and ergonomics training to prevent serious back pain and work absence.