RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BACK PAIN WITH NURSING ACTIVITIES AND THE USE OF BODY MECHANICS AMONG NURSES WORKING IN GENERAL HOSPITALS

Abstract

Background: Nursing is known as an occupation with a high risk of musculoskeletal injury and back pain. Proper body mechanics are important to a healthy nursing career. Aim: This study aimed to find out the relationship between back pain with nursing activities and the use of body mechanics among nurses working in general hospitals. Subjects and Method: Design: Descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Setting: Study was carried out in Port Said General Hospital, Port-Fouad and EL-Zohor hospital at Port Said City. Subjects: A convenience sample of nurses (200) was recruited from above mentioned setting. Tools: Tool I: Demographic questionnaire and lifestyles patterns, Tool II: Back pain scale, Tool III: Body mechanic observation checklist Tool IV: Barriers to perform body mechanics questionnaire, Tool V: Commonnursing care activities questionnaire. Results: This study showed that 69 % of the studied nurses had back pain, 95% of them had barriers to perform body mechanics such as lack of lifting equipment and insufficient training in the use of lifting equipment and 81 % of the studied nurses kept their backs bent for a long time. Conclusion: The current studyrevealed that was a statistically positive correlation between barriers to perform body mechanics, degree of back pain, and nursing activities of the studied nurses. Recommendations: The study recommended a program for nurses to enhance the safe nursing practice of body mechanics and develop strategies to prevent back pain.