Application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model to Design a Program for Prevention of Low Back Pain in a Thai Community Hospital

Abstract

Although low back pain (LBP) is one of the major health problems among nursing personnel in Thai hospitals, very few comprehensive interventions have been designed and there is minimal application of a planning model to design a theory-based program. The aims of this research were to design, implement, and evaluate a program for the prevention of LBP among nursing personnel in a community hospital in Thailand. The samples were selected using purposive sampling and they were divided into a program developer group and an attendant group. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using research instruments. The program was designed, implemented, and evaluated based upon the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and consisted of three activities: 1) regular education sessions on safe patient lifting techniques and good working postures; 2) training on lifting overweight patients by using lifting devices and a lifting team; and 3) training with back muscle exercises. The results revealed that the participants’ knowledge, attitude, and health behavior scores increased at three months after the intervention (p