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Epidemiology of Low Back Pain among Nurses Working in Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Belay, M M.; Worku, A; Gebrie, S A. & Wamisho, B L.
Abstract
Background: Low back pain (LBP) related to Nursing Profession, is a very common
public health problem throughout the world. Various risk factors have been
implicated in the etiology and LBP is assumed to be of multi-factorial origin as
individual, work-related and psychosocial factors can contribute to its development.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk
factors of LBP among Nurses working in Addis Ababa City Public Hospitals,
Ethiopia, in the year 2015. Addis Ababa University, Black-Lion (‘Tikur Anbessa’)
Hospital-BLH, is the country’s highest tertiary level referral and teaching Hospital.
The three departments in connection with this study: Radiology, Pathology and
Orthopedics, run undergraduate and residency programs and receive referred
patients from all over the country.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with internal comparison was conducted
throughout the period October-December, 2015. Sample was chosen by simple
random sampling technique by taken the lists of Nurses from human resource
departments as a sampling frame. A well-structured, pre-tested and selfadministered
questionnaire was used to collect quantifiable information. The
questionnaire included socio-demographic, back pain features, consequences of
back pain, work-related and psychosocial factors. The collected data was entered in
to epiinfo version 3.5.4 and was analyzed by SPSS. A probability level of 0.05 or less
and 95% confidence level was used to indicate statistical significance. Ethical
clearance was obtained from all respected administrative bodies, Hospitals and
study participants.
Results: The study included 395 Nurses and gave a response rate of 91.9%. The
mean age was 30.6 (±8.4) years. Majority of the respondents were female (285,
72.2%). Nearly half of the participants (n=181, 45.8% (95% CI (40.8%- 50.6%)))
were complained Low Back Pain. There were statistical significant association
between Low Back Pain and working shift, physical activities at work; sleep
disturbance and felt little pleasure by doing things
Conclusion: A high prevalence of Low Back Pain was found among Nurses working
in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals. Recognition & Preventive measures like providing
resting periods should be taken to reduce the risk of Low Back Pain in Nurses
working in Public hospitals
Keywords
LBP Risk factors; Low back pain; Nurses; Work-Shift; Public Hospitals
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