The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Loveness A. Nkhata; Tonya M. Esterhuizen; Seter Siziya; Peter D. C. Phiri; Esther Munalula-Nkandu; Hastings Shula

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

| Peer-Reviewed

The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, Hastings Shula

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 3, Issue 4)

Received: 6 May 2015 Accepted: 20 May 2015 Published: 2 June 2015

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.

Published in	Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 3, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18
Page(s)	508-513
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Perceived, Musculoskeletal, Work-related, Injury, Disorders, Physiotherapy

References

[1]	International Labour Organization (2002) Managing disability in the work place: An ILO code of Practice. International labour office, ISBN 92-2-311639-2, Geneva 1-52.
[2]	Smith G.S, Wellman M, Gary M.S, Sorock S, Warner M, Courtney T.K, Pransky G.S, and Fingerhut L.A (2005) Injuries at work in the US adult population: Contributions to the total injury burden. Physiotherapy (95), 1213-1219.
[3]	Russo A, Murphy C, Lessoway V, and Berkowitz J (2006) The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among British Columbia sonographers. Applied Ergonomics (33), 385-393.
[4]	Long M.H, Johnston V, and Bogossian F (2012) Work-related upper quadrant musculoskeletal disorders in midwives, nurses and physicians: A systematic review of risk factors and functional consequences. Applied Ergonomics (43), 455-467.
[5]	Salik T and Ozcan A (2004) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A survey of physical therapists in Izmir-Turkey. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (5), 27-34.
[6]	Chung Y.C, Hung C.T, Li S.F, Li SF, Lee H.M, Wang S.G, Chang S.C, Pai L.W, Huang C.N and Yang J.H (2013) Risk of musculoskeletal disorders among Taiwanese nurses cohort: A nationwide population-based study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (14), 144-151.
[7]	Ministry of Health (2005) National Health Strategic Plan draft report 2006-2011. Lusaka Zambia. 1- 65.
[8]	Lorruso A, Bruno S, and L’abbate N (2007) A review of low back pain and musculoskeletal disorders among Italian nursing personnel. Industrial Health (45), 637-644.
[9]	Tinubu B.M.S, Mbada C.E, Oyeyemi A.L and Fabunmi A.A (2010) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Musculoskeletal disorders (11), 1-8.
[10]	Smith D.R, Mihash M, Adachi Y, Koga H and Ishitake T (2003) Musculoskeletal disorders among female nurses in a rural Japanese Hospital. Nursing and Health Sciences (8) 185-188.
[11]	Josephson M, Logerstrom M, Hagberg M and Hjelm E.W (1997) Musculoskeletal symptoms and job strain among nursing personnel. A study over a three-year period. Occupational, Environmental and Medicine (54), 681-685.
[12]	Trinhoff A.M, Lipscomb J.A, Geiger-Brown J and Brady B (2002) Musculoskeletal problems of the neck, shoulder and functional consequences in nurses. American Journal of Industrial Medicine (41), 170-178.
[13]	Dajah S.A and Daghdi A.A (2013) Prevalence and risk factors for low back pain among nurses in Sudayr region. European Scientific Journal 9 (33), 1857-1881.
[14]	Nkhata L.A, Zyaambo C, Nzala S.H, and Siziya S (2010) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence, contributing factors and coping strategies among physiotherapy personnel in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola districts, Zambia. Medical Journal of Zambia 37(4), 262-267.
[15]	Adegoke B.O.A, Akodu A.K, and Oyeyemi A.L (2008) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian physiotherapists. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (9), 112-121.
[16]	Abedemi T.B, Bankole A.C, Kalowole M.K, Oluwafemi O.D and Okafor U.A.C (2008) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists in Nigeria. Ghana Journal of Physiotherapy (1), 06-09.
[17]	Glover W, MacGregor A, Sullivan C and Hague J (2005) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affecting members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy 91(3), 138-147.
[18]	Cromie J.E, Robertson V.J and Best M.O (2000) Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Physical Therapists: Prevalence, Severity, Risks and Response. Physical Therapy (80), 336-351.
[19]	The American National Research Council (2001) Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities. ISBN: 0-309-51178-X (512) 6-9 http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10032.htm.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. (2015). The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(4), 508-513. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Loveness A. Nkhata; Tonya M. Esterhuizen; Seter Siziya; Peter D. C. Phiri; Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 3(4), 508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci J Public Health. 2015;3(4):508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18,
  author = {Loveness A. Nkhata and Tonya M. Esterhuizen and Seter Siziya and Peter D. C. Phiri and Esther Munalula-Nkandu and Hastings Shula},
  title = {The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {3},
  number = {4},
  pages = {508-513},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20150304.18},
  abstract = {Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
AU - Loveness A. Nkhata
AU - Tonya M. Esterhuizen
AU - Seter Siziya
AU - Peter D. C. Phiri
AU - Esther Munalula-Nkandu
AU - Hastings Shula
Y1 - 2015/06/02
PY - 2015
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18
DO - 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18
T2 - Science Journal of Public Health
JF - Science Journal of Public Health
JO - Science Journal of Public Health
SP - 508
EP - 513
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2328-7950
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18
AB - Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.
VL - 3
IS - 4
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Loveness A. Nkhata

Division of Community Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Tonya M. Esterhuizen

Division of Community Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Seter Siziya

Department of Clinical sciences, Public Health unit, School of Medicine, Ndola Campus, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
Peter D. C. Phiri

Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Esther Munalula-Nkandu

Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Hastings Shula

Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. (2015). The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(4), 508-513. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Loveness A. Nkhata; Tonya M. Esterhuizen; Seter Siziya; Peter D. C. Phiri; Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 3(4), 508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Loveness A. Nkhata, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Seter Siziya, Peter D. C. Phiri, Esther Munalula-Nkandu, et al. The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Sci J Public Health. 2015;3(4):508-513. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18,
  author = {Loveness A. Nkhata and Tonya M. Esterhuizen and Seter Siziya and Peter D. C. Phiri and Esther Munalula-Nkandu and Hastings Shula},
  title = {The Prevalence and Perceived Contributing Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {3},
  number = {4},
  pages = {508-513},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20150304.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20150304.18},
  abstract = {Introduction: Nurses routinely perform activities which are repetitive, labour intensive and involve direct contact with patients. Such activities have been shown to be risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of these conditions amongst nurses in Zambia is not well established. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders within the last year among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia, and to establish the demographic characteristics and perceived job tasks associated with this outcome. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional survey. Stata version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. Associations between factors and the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were tested using a multivariate logistic regression model and reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The 12-months period prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 68.9% in 267 nurses who took part in the study (95% confidence interval 63.1-74.2). The ankles and feet were the most commonly affected body part 54.8% (n=101) followed by the low back 53.3% (n=98). Most respondents (44.7% n=93) had their first experience within five years of graduation. Decreased height, increased weight and years of professional experience, full time position, working in the same position for a long period and adjusting for bed height were among factors identified as associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among nurses at the University Teaching Hospital. We recommend that education on prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders be introduced and encouraged to promote work efficiency and well-being.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download