Factors Associated with Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Registered Nurses and Nurse’s Aides at UthaiThani Hospital

Abstract

This survey-based research aimed to study the factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among registered nurses and nurse’s aides at Uthai Thani Hospital in Uthai Thani province, Thailand.    One-hundred and sixty registered nurses (RNs) and nurse aides were recruited into the study. A self-administered questionnaire composed of 5 parts, specifically: 1) demographic data, 2) working posture, 3) work area, tools, and equipment, 4) organizational support, and 5) signs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, was used to gather data. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and Chi-square tests. The level for statistical significance was set at p<.05.

         Results showed that the prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among RNs and nurse’s aides was 95.65%. Most of them had experienced moderate pain at some point. The most commonly affected body parts were the shoulders, lower back, ankles and feet, respectively. The factors found to be statistically significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders were 1) age, 2) working hours per week,              3) having an underlying disease related to the musculoskeletal disorder, 4) working characteristics, such as prolonged stretching of the neck and shoulders while working , 5) working for prolonged periods in the same posture, and  6) helping patients with positioning or transferring without any additional assistance ( =14.58, 6.37, 7.65, 15.71, 15.22, 5.65, respectively), at p<.05 . Findings suggest that healthcare workplaces should take these factors into consideration when implementing any programs for the prevention and control of these disorders among RNs, nurse’s aides, and other healthcare personnel.