Low back injuries related to nursing professionals working conditions: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Identify the prevalence of low back disorders and associated risks, as well as the characteristics and ergonomic factors present in the work of nursing professionals. Methods: Systematic review based on the search of terms such as low back pain, professionals, hospital ergonomics, work organization, nursing found in national and international databases. Results: The prevalence of low back pain symptoms was between 14.7% and 72% and the main cause, that is, the transference of the patient from bed to chair, leaded to the profession abandonment as a main consequence. Conclusion: it was possible to conclude that the prevalence of low back injury is high among nursing professionals and its causes are related to occupational factors-physical or psychological, which are in many cases permanent and disabling. © 2012 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.