Resumen

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are common in hospital settings, particularly in nurses. Musculoskeletal symptoms surveys are performed mainly using questionnaires. Objectives: This national study intended to identify and analyze the prevalence of low back musculoskeletal symptoms linked to the activity of hospital nurses. Methods: There was used a questionnaire filled out in 2011; covering 2,140 nurses registered in the Portuguese Order of Nurses, and in the present study we only analyzed the responses relating to the 1,396 nurses working in hospitals. Results: The results show a high prevalence of symptoms of low back WRMSD in the last 12 months (60.9%) and in the last 7 days (48.8%). The presence of these symptoms appears to be associated with some work aspects such as organizational and professional ones: the professional category, type of work, type of service and some work activities. The patient hygiene and comfort in bed revealed to be the activity with greater effect in the presence of such symptoms. Conclusions: This study allowed us to conclude that the characteristics of work activities in the presence of low back musculoskeletal symptomsare the most important factors and therefore we should focus on interventions aimed at preventing WRMSD and safeguard nurse occupational health and safety.

Palabras clave: Cumulative trauma disorders low back pain nurses hospitals occupational health human engineering.

2013-03-11   |   723 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 10 Núm.2. Julio-Diciembre 2012 Pags. 80-87 Revista Bras. Med. Trab. 2012; 10(2)