Annual Prevalence of Self-Reported Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors among Nurses Working at Gondar Town Governmental Health Institutions, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Work related musculoskeletal disorders are growing problems among nurses in many developing countries. There is little evidence on this problem and associated factors among nurses in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess annual prevalence of self-reported work related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among nurses at Gondar town governmental health institutions. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June, 2013 at Gondar town. Data were collected using structured questionnaire guided interview and taking physical measurement. Categorical data were compared using a chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of variables, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to eliminate the third variables. Result: Overall annual prevalence of self-reported work related musculoskeletal disorders was 57.1%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed professional experience (AOR=2.4: 95%CI (1.41, 4.19)) and body mass index (AOR=3.52: 95%CI (1.02, 12.04)) were significantly associated with the dependent variable. Conclusion: Self-reported work related musculoskeletal disorders are commonly prevalent among nurses at Gondar town with low back and knee joint affected most. Overweight and professional experiences were significantly associated with work related musculoskeletal disorders. There is an enormous need for Nurses education on ergonometric intervention strategies to raise awareness regarding work related musculoskeletal disorders and to ensure that they remain healthy and safe as much as possible throughout their working life time. It is also mandatory that nurses should be advised to visit physiotherapists when they have work related musculoskeletal disorders.