| dc.description.abstract | Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) constitute one of the main occupational hazards among health care
workers. However, few epidemiological studies on work related MSD among nursing professionals have been
carried out in Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the work related musculoskeletal disorders and
associated risk factors among nursing professionals in Uganda.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of MSD among 880 nursing professionals from five selected hospitals in
Uganda. Data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from the Dutch Musculoskeletal and Nordic Musculoskeletal
questionnaires. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation and percentages) and inferential (Chi square test and logistic
regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse data. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 741 completed questionnaires were analysed (response rate 85.4%). The average age of the
respondents was 35.4 (SD 10.7) years and a majority were female (85.7%). The average working hours per week
was 43.7 (SD 18.9 hours). The 12-month period-prevalence of MSD at anybody site was 80.8%. The most common
site of MSD was the lower back (61.9%). Significant risk factors for reported MSD included often working in a
slightly bent posture (adjOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.20-4.26), often working in a slightly twisted posture for long
(adjOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.03-3.77), mental exhaustion (adjOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.17-3.5), being absent from the work station
for more than 6 months due to illness or an accident (adjO|R, 4.35, 95% CI 1.44-13.08) and feeling rested after a
break (adjOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.16-3.76).
Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders affect more than 80% of nursing professionals in Uganda with the most
commonly, affected site being the lower back. Significant risk factors for MSD include; being absent from the work
station for more than 6 months due to illness or an accident, working in awkward postures, pushing/pulling of
heavy loads and mental exhaustion. There is a need for greater advocacy, better working conditions and adoption
of strategies to reduce occupational injuries. | en_US |
