Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Registered Nurses in Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a significant impact on registered nurses, but studies related to prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders have not been extensively addressed in North-Eastern Thailand. This current cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the annual prevalence and job risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among registered nurses in Srinagarind hospital, Thailand. A total of 248 (97.2% response rate) registered nurses completed a self-administered questionnaire, including a modified Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire. The results showed that the 12-month prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders at any region was 91.7% (95% CI: 86.8%, 94.9%). The most common symptom in body regions was shoulders (64.4%) followed by low back (58.5%), and upper back (44.9%). The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms that prevented normal working activities was 53.7% (95% CI: 46.6%, 60.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that job control, as one of set psychosocial factors, had a significant association with the 12-month prevalence symptom of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that prevented normal working activities.