Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Staff Nurses

Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the detail-oriented care of individuals; she cares for her client from basic triage care to assistance in serious trauma care and surgery. She spends maximum part of her life in the service of mankind. At the same time she also becomes prone to work related health problems which can be physical and psychological in nature, one of common physical problems is musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders i.e. MSDs are commonly seen among health care workers. MSDs are reported to significantly impact quality of life and many more drawbacks too. Nurses routinely perform heavy tasks of lifting and shifting her clients, which put her at high risk for acute and cumulative MSDs.

The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of Musculoskeletal disorders among staff nurses.

A quantitative approach with descriptive design. Data was collected by self-reported Questionnaire from 100 samples selected by purposive sampling technique.

Related to assess prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Majority of the nurses (68%) were suffering from Musculoskeletal Disorders. There is an increased prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders as most of nurses were suffering from Back muscle strain (37%) following spondylitis (10%), neck tension syndrome (8%), ligament tear/strain (6%), prolapse of intervertebral disc (2%), sciatica (2%), tendonitis (2%) and carpel tunnel syndrome (1%). MSDs is significantly associated with demographic variables, Musculoskeletal Disorders are seen mostly in staff nurses aged 40–59 years (55%). Prevalence of MSDs are more in staff nurses (82%) than in sister-in-charges (18%). Nurses working in shift duties of 60 hours and nurses doing general duty of 48 hours are seen to have Musculoskeletal problems 38% and 62% respectively. Back muscle strain is the most commonly seen musculoskeletal Disorder.

This study concluded that increased prevalence of MSDs are present among nurses. From a total of 100 samples, 68% of them suffer from various musculoskeletal disorders; most of the nurses were suffering from back muscle strains. Prevention strategies such as education and awareness on proper body mechanics, relaxation and ergonomic advice can treat the musculoskeletal disorders and help to maintain healthy nurses caring for her clients.