Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain Among Nurses in Four Tertiary Care Hospitals at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA
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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain Among Nurses in Four Tertiary Care Hospitals at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA,MOSTAFA A.F. ABBAS, LAMIAA Z. ABU ZAID, LAMIAA A. FIALA and NASSER A. ALHAMDAN
Abstract
Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a common health problem among health care workers; leads to disability, absence and loss of resources on treatment, investigation and rehabil-itation.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for Low Back Pain among nurses in four tertiary hospitals at KFMC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study in which all nurses for LBP has been surveyed using questionnaire including the occupational factors and the characters of LBP; with other variables such as age group, gender, job category, country of origin, previous LBP episodes and prognosis for it. Nordic questionnaire for LBP has been used.
Results: A total sample of 937 nursing staff returned the filled questionnaire out of 1300 distributed (72% response rate). 576 (61.5%) of nursing staff reported current attacks of episodes of LBP, 611 (65%) reported at least one attack of LBP during past 12 months and 375 (40%) of them reported to have at least one attack during life time. LBP was highest among younger age group who are less than 30 years old, 269 (64.4%) compared to older nurses (>49 years old) 30 (50.8%). Female nurses had less rate of LBP 498 (60.5%) compared to male nurses who were 78 (88.4%). Inpatient nurse, outpatient nurse and nurse assistant had consistently higher rates of low back pain; 253 (63.9%); 160 (63.5%) and 95 (62.9%) compared to administrative nurses 68 (49.3%). Middle Eastern nurses had the highest rates of LBP compared to other nationalities 48 (66.7%). Using a patient lifting device was associated with higher rates of LBP 198 out of 285 (69.5%) p<0.05; OR=1.65 (1.21<95% CI <2.25). Carrying patients had a higher rate of LBP 442 out of 664 (66.6%) p<0.05; OR=2.07 (1.53-2.79); same for nurses who move or support patients and also nurses who push wheels of patients had also higher rates of LBP. LBP was severe enough to visit a doctor among 329 (57.1%) and 329 (57.1%) had to take medication, 84 (14.6%) had to have X-ray and 63 (10.9%) had to take a sick leave because of LBP.
Eighty five percent of those who had current LBP reported that their pain was related to work incidents. Nevertheless, only 11.5% had changed their duty because of their back pain.
Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among nursing staff at KFMC is high. Certain patient–transfer tasks seemed to play important role in LBP.