Musculoskeletal problems and expressed practices of body mechanics among nursing officers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify musculoskeletal problems (MSPs) among nursing officers. Materials and Methods: A nonexperimental research design was used. Two hundred and seventy nursing officers were selected by purposive sampling technique. The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the MSPs and self-structured three-point rating scale was used to assess expressed practice of body mechanics of nursing officers. Results: The study findings revealed that 64.4% of nursing officers suffered from MSP such as ache, pain, and discomfort during the past 12 months and 43.7% during the past 7 days. The problem in the low back and the neck were highest 45.1% and 22.2%, respectively. This was followed by MSP of the upper back (14.0%), ankles (13.7%), knees (10.7%), shoulder (10.3%), hip/thighs (5.9%), wrists (4.4%), and elbows (3.3%). Around 49.2% complained that MSPs limit their work. There was significant association of MSP with selected personal variables like body mass index (P = 0.001) and family history (P = 0.02). There were also significant association of expressed practices of body mechanics with gender (P = 0.01), area of current work (P = 0.00), professional experience (P = 0.03) and physical activity (P = 0.00). Conclusion: The study indicates the large number of nursing officers had MSPs with the two most common sites being the lower back and the neck. This creates a need for prompt hospital education programs aimed to create awareness among nursing officers on the prevalence of MSPs.