Factors Associated with Low Back Pain Among Nurses in Critical Care Units, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Chan Siok Gim*

Received: December 12, 2017;   Published: December 20, 2017

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000613

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Abstract

Nursing is a high risk group profession with prevalence of low back pain LBP. Nursing literature shows that efforts have been done to try and reduce the problem of work-related low back pain while moving and handling, by training and the provision of handling aids. This study aims to determine work-related low back pain among nurses in critical care units and factors influencing low back pain. A quantitative, crosssectional and survey design was used to conduct the study in critical care units in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 110 (81.5%) nurses participated in the study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 18.0. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the demographic data of the study sample while non-parametric tests were used to analyze the nursing profile and factors associated with LBP. Findings of this study broadly confirm high levels of LBP among nurses with 16.4% pre nursing LBP and 68.2% since nursing LBP. Working experience in current ward, nursing experience, age and frequent standing are positively associated with LBP. The main route to prevention of LBP among nurses is improved manual handling technique while transferring patient in the wards.

Keywords: Nursing; Low Back Pain; Employment Profile; Personal Factorsp; Work Related Factors

Abbreviations: LBP: Low Back Pain; HUSM: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia; CCUs: critical care units; HRPZ: Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainal

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