Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries among Nurses at the Accident Centre of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND; Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) constitute one of the main occupational hazards among health care workers, especially among nurses. However, very few studies on work related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs) among nurses have been carried out in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of types of musculoskeletal injuries, associated risk factors, and impact on work output as well as preventive measures put in place to control its occurrence among nurses working at the Accident Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, (KBTH) Accra. The study was a cross sectional study of MSI among 120 nurses from the Accident Centre of KBTH who were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. P-value was set at p<0.05. The result highlighted 7 days, 3 months and 12 months prevalence of WRMSI. The most common site of WRMSIs was the lower back with highest prevalence rate through all time point, followed by upper back shoulder, neck and knee. The least of complaints of WRMSIs were elbow, hip/thigh and ankle/feet. WRMSI was found to be significantly associated with personal factors such as age, sex, education and marital status (p<0.05). Physical factors perceived to have had relationship with WRMSI were sitting, standing and lifting of load. High job demand, low job control and high job strain were the psychosocial risk factors for developing WRMSI. Chronic back pain indicated to be the most common anatomical region with high prevalence and had statistical association with age, marital status, number of patient care for a day, high job demand and high job strain. Many of the respondents continued to work with symptoms of MSI and used self-care treatment. Majority of the respondent had had training on how to prevent those injuries. Musculoskeletal injury is predominant among nurses at the Accident Centre of KBTH and has implications on the health and safety of the nurses. Measures should be put in place to prevent and control occupational injuries.