2021, Cilt 8, Sayı 2, Sayfa(lar) 231-238
Determining Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Factors in Nurses
Behire SANÇAR1, Serkan TAŞ2, Demet AKTAŞ3
1Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Toros Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Hemşirelik Bölümü, Mersin, Türkiye
2Doç. Dr. Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bölümü, Antalya, Türkiye
3Doç Dr. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Ebelik Bölümü, Çankırı, Türkiye
Keywords: Discomfort, musculoskeletal system, nursing, prevalence

Aim: Musculoskeletal diseases are more common in health professionals than in other professions. Nurses are particularly at risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and related factors in nurses.

Material and Methods: This study was performed between January 1 and April 30, 2019, with the participation of 611 nurses between the ages of 18-65 who work in inpatient and outpatient units of public hospitals in Ankara and Mersin provinces. However, for some of the variables, the sample sizes varied between 599-609 due to missing observations. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In the questionnaire, the presence of pain or discomfort was questioned in nine work-related body regions (feet-ankles, knees, thighs-hips, wrists-hands, waist, elbows, back, shoulders, neck) for the last 12 months and seven days.

Results: The findings showed that nurses were experiencing problems related to neck (63.5%), back (54.8%), waist (52.0%) regions. The rate of neck, waist and back pain or discomfort in the last seven days was 48.4%, 39.4%, and 38.1%, respectively.

Conclusion: The results showed that work-related musculoskeletal disorders are most common among nurses. According to the study results, it is recommended to use more ergogenic supports in the workplace to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in nurses.