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The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Received: 6 May 2015     Accepted: 20 May 2015     Published: 2 June 2015
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Abstract

Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 3, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18
Page(s) 508-513
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Perceived, Musculoskeletal, Work-related, Injury, Disorders, Physiotherapy

References
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[7] Ministry of Health (2005) National Health Strategic Plan draft report 2006-2011. Lusaka Zambia. 1- 65.
[8] Lorruso A, Bruno S, and L’abbate N (2007) A review of low back pain and musculoskeletal disorders among Italian nursing personnel. Industrial Health (45), 637-644.
[9] Tinubu B.M.S, Mbada C.E, Oyeyemi A.L and Fabunmi A.A (2010) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Musculoskeletal disorders (11), 1-8.
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[14] Nkhata L.A, Zyaambo C, Nzala S.H, and Siziya S (2010) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence, contributing factors and coping strategies among physiotherapy personnel in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola districts, Zambia. Medical Journal of Zambia 37(4), 262-267.
[15] Adegoke B.O.A, Akodu A.K, and Oyeyemi A.L (2008) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian physiotherapists. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (9), 112-121.
[16] Abedemi T.B, Bankole A.C, Kalowole M.K, Oluwafemi O.D and Okafor U.A.C (2008) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists in Nigeria. Ghana Journal of Physiotherapy (1), 06-09.
[17] Glover W, MacGregor A, Sullivan C and Hague J (2005) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affecting members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy 91(3), 138-147.
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    Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. (2015). The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(4), 508-513. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

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    ACS Style

    Loveness A. Nkhata; Tonya M. Esterhuizen; Seter Siziya; Peter D. C. Phiri; Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 3(4), 508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

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    AMA Style

    Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci J Public Health. 2015;3(4):508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18,
      author = {Loveness A. Nkhata and Tonya M. Esterhuizen and Seter Siziya and Peter D. C. Phiri and Esther Munalula-Nkandu and Hastings Shula},
      title = {The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {3},
      number = {4},
      pages = {508-513},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20150304.18},
      abstract = {Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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    AU  - Loveness A. Nkhata
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    AB  - Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.
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Author Information
  • Division of Community Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Division of Community Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Department of Clinical sciences, Public Health unit, School of Medicine, Ndola Campus, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia

  • Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

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