Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and ITS' associated risk factors among the nurses from selected areas in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract Background: This is highly recommended to reveal the information concerning musculoskeletal symptoms prevalence and its‟ associated risk factors among the working population to develop an effective and efficient preventive approach and intervention program. Nursing professionals are at great risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms through the world reported in different studies. However, there is scarcity of evidence regarding symptoms prevalence and associated risk factors in the context of Bangladesh. Objectives: The objectives were to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 7 days and 12 months, the association between prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and selected socio-demographic factors and the association between prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and physical risk factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 105 participants who were selected by using convenient sampling from the hospital of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed and also the other Enam Medical Collage hospital. The Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence and association between Musculoskeletal Symptoms and socio-demographic factors and also to identify physical risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among the nurses. Result: The result showed that 66.7% (95%CI 57.685%, 75.714%) participates reported that they had at least one musculoskeletal symptom within the last 12 months and 52.4% (95% CI 44.858%, 61.952%) participates reported that they had at least one musculoskeletal symptom within the last 7 days. The most affected body part was lower back. Socio-demographic factors were found to be significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Work-related physical risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms were identified including Bend trunk slightly was the highest percentage (88.9%) among the nurses and second highest was the frequent movements arms, hand, or fingers, the percentage was 83.3. Some another study about musculoskeletal symptoms among nurses had high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms, the association between socio-demographic factors and musculoskeletal symptoms, and also physical risk factors which were responsible for musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusion: Now a days work related musculoskeletal disorders is the greatest problem in the world among the working population. At a same time, nurses are also suffering from different musculoskeletal disorders. Subsequently, this study shows that there is a high risk of musculoskeletal symptoms among the nurses. It will be managed by reducing physical risk factors through effective ergonomic management. So for the days ahead, further similar study is needed in this sector to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the large number of nurses and also to identify job related stress like psychological factors.