J Nurs Acad Soc.  1977 Jun;7(1):39-46.

A Survey on Back Pain of Nurses

• Hahn YB

Abstract

Despite the fact that it is not a fatal symptom, the lower back pain of human species is considered a health problem of modern society; 80% of world population experience it and the distress and dysfunction caused by interferes daily life as well as the general productivity. This study was performed to investigate the general tendency of lower back pain on nurses; influence of nursing activities, working; condition and the physical characteristics of nurses on the pain in order to provide data for prevention and treatment. 386 nurses working at 16 general hospitals throughout the country were sampled. Questionaires developed by the researcher was used for data gathering, Results are as follows; 1. Lower back pain was experienced by most(72. 3%) of the nurses; the highest rate of -pain experience was revealed to be the age group of 35-39 (80.8%) followed by 25-29 group (74.2%). 2. In almost all instances (91. 4%), the first pain attack occurred before the age of 29, and in 73.1%, the attack occurred between the age of 15-24. 3. In 10. 1%, the pain was almost persistent or occurred every other Hay frequency. In 9%, the pain was relieved by the administration of analgesics or "unable to move". 4. More than 6 days' sick leave due to the pain revealed to be in 2.2%. No significant difference was revealed between specialities of service. 5. Pain experience and the over or under weight revealed not to have significant relations. (X2 =0.55224, P> 0.7587) 6. The length of working hour of I. C. U. and 0. R. revealed to be longer than that of nurses general ward, however, no significant difference on the rate of pain occurrence apparent. (x2= 0.04952, P> 0.8239) No significant difference on the rate of pain occurrence between nurses working over 46 hours/week and under 45 hours/week. (X2 =3. 86241, P> 0.078318) 7. The most frequent pain related movement revealed to be "lifting patient or heavy object" (24.7%, N=68) followed by "the sameness of position, either standing or sitting" (16. 8%) 8. Regular physical exercise revealed to have no significant influence on the rate of pain occurrence. 9 Higher rate of pain experience was revealed in the group of nurses wearing eye glasses. Uncomfortable shoes revealed to have influenced the pain. 10. The most frequent pain relieving treatment revealed to be "rest" (54. 2%, N=151) followed by "analgesics" (12.6%, N = 35) and "hot compress/fomentation" (10.5%, N = 29). In 13.7%(N~38) no special care was given.

MeSH Terms

Analgesics
Back Pain*
Efficiency
Exercise
Eyeglasses
Glass
Hospitals, General
Humans
Low Back Pain
Nursing
Patients' Rooms
Shoes
Sick Leave
Analgesics