Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders among Registered Nurses: Evidence from the Thai Nurse Cohort Study

Abstract

BackgroundHealth, safety, and well being have been known to be influenced by occupational characteristics. Nurses constantly encounter musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from work demands worldwide. Nevertheless, there is insufficient of knowledge regarding causes of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in Thailand. ObjectiveTo investigate factors associated with musculoskeletal disorder among registered nurses in Thailand. MethodThis study is part of the 2009 Thai Nurse Cohort Study which consisted of 18,756 nationally representative sample of registered nurses. Data collection was performed via postal self-administered questionnaires. Manifesting musculoskeletal disorders was self-reported by registered nurses, 1,070 nurses were excluded since they were unemployed during previous 12 months. Multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis. ResultOf 17,686 registered nurses, the overall 12 months prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 47.8%. It was found that workplace violence was the strongest factor which statistically significant associated with musculoskeletal disorders (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.42 to 2.83; P < 0.001), anxiety/depression (OR = 1.96: 95% CI: 1.78 to 2.15; P < 0.001), perceiving job required a lot of physical effort (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.52 to 1.87; P < 0.001), every 10 years increased of age (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.62; P < 0.001), overweight (OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.52; P = 0.015). ConclusionRegistered nurses were most vulnerable of musculoskeletal disorders especially those who experienced workplace violence, anxiety/depression, strenuous work, older age, and overweight. Consequently, recommending safety practices to nurses should be considered for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) prevention by ergonomics and workplace design.

Musculoskeletal Disorders: Prevalence and Associated Factors among District Hospital Nurses in Haiphong, Vietnam

“…It is important to offer early intervention to treat anxiety among nurses to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Numerous studies have identified relevant factors similar to the results of our study: female gender [ 41 , 48 ], absenteeism [ 9 ], and psychosocial factors [ 8 , 12 , 16 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 39 , 42 , 48 – 51 ]. In Vietnam, a previous study in Haiphong in Vietiep hospital (which have the largest number of nurses) also illustrated some factors as the gender, stress, and high age associated with MSDs [ 19 ], which was similar to our study outcomes.…”

“…However, this result was lower than those observed in Uganda in 2013 among 755 nurses (80,8%) [ 13 ], in Estonia (84%) [ 31 ], 89% in Portugal [ 9 ], in Macedonia (85%) [ 10 ], and 80.8% in Uganda [ 13 ] and, in our Asia, there were Saudi Arabia (85%) [ 15 ], Iran (88%) [ 16 ], and Japan (85.5%) [ 32 ]. On the contrary, this prevalence was higher than that in France (from 10% to 50%) [ 8 ], in USA (from 35.1% to 47%) [ 11 ], and (from 32.8% to 57.1%) in Brazil [ 12 ]; in Pakistan (31.6%) [ 33 ], in Thailand (47.8%) [ 34 ], and in Malaysia (from 35.3% to 48.9%) [ 35 ]. There were possibly two reasons for these differences: firstly, it depends on the nursing work condition and characteristics of each continent, each country, and each region; secondary, a higher frequency is contributed by the number of symptoms of MSDs which appears in the assessment questionnaire.…”

“…It can be a potential reason for MSDs. Anxiety was known to be associated with musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers including nurses [ 34 , 43 , 44 ]. From a psychological perspective, looking after patients with chronic diseases is associated with anxiety [ 45 ].…”

Obesity in the Workplace

“…Obesity related genitourinary system conditions include urinary incontinence due to weakened pelvic muscles and abnormal ovulation. 42 …”

Organization of Work Factors Associated with Work Ability among Aging Nurses

“…Furthermore, it is well documented that prolonged recovery from work-related, work-limiting injuries is more common as workers age (Delloiacono, 2016). While occupational risks associated with illness and injury among nurses are varied, occupational stress, patient handling, and shift work are noted as major contributors (Gomaa et al, 2015;Stimpfel et al, 2015;Thinkkhamrop & Laohasiriwong, 2015;Wallis, 2015). There is also evidence to suggest that 44% of all reported musculoskeletal injuries are attributed to overexertion and patient interaction (Gomaa et al, 2015;Wallis, 2015).…”