Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain among Nurses in Kirkuk General Hospitals

Work-related low back pain (LBP) is a significant problem among nurses. Great prevalence rates of LBP among nurses are recorded in many countries. Many factors affect back problem included individual and occupational factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors with low back pain (LbP) among nurses in general hospitals. A cross-sectional descriptive design study. Convenience sampling technique was used comprising 204 nurses who have fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a self-constructed questionnaire over a period of three weeks, and from two general hospitals (Azadi teaching hospital and Kirkuk general hospital) in Kirkuk city/Iraq. Most of the respondent nurses (52%) were reported having LBP during the last 12-month of their life. Factors that significantly associated with LbP were personal factors included age, marital status, and weight level in addition to occupational factors such as hospital and the unit/department they work. The current study cautions of high LbP prevalence rates among nurses in Kirkuk city/Iraq. The LBP has a significant association with multiple factors such as; age, marital status, weight level, hospital and the unit or department they work in.