Birori A1, Dr. Okova R2, Habtu M3
1Mount Kenya University, Health Sciences/Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda, 2Mount Kenya University, Senior Lecturer, Kigali, Rwanda, 3Mount Kenya University, Lecturer, Kigali, Rwanda
Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a related musculoskeletal disorder, which is often work related and frequently prevalent among health care providers, and can lead to presenteeism, absenteeism, enormous economic burden and work disability. LBP is among the top 10 conditions that account for the highest number of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) worldwide, and years lived with disability (YLD) actually ranks number one, which makes LBP a global health issue. Daily transfers and lifting activity performed by health workers are among the work related risk factors for LBP. Poor knowledge, negative attitude and lack of implementation of LBP prevention measures increase the prevalence of LBP among health care providers (HCPs).
Purpose: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and factors associated with the practices of LBP prevention among health care providers have contributed to the commitment of global health to raise awareness and education and related risk factors and the prevention measures.
Methods: No standardized questionnaires with regard to knowledge, attitudes and practice of LBP prevention among HCPs were found in the literature. A modified self-administered questionnaire based on the literature developed by the researcher was used for this study. A random sampling strategy among 250 HCPs (doctor, pharmacist, nurses, midwife and allied health care providers) working at Kibagabaga hospital filled in the questionnaire and data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 21.
Results: We obtained data from 154 participants who filled in the questionnaires consisting of 113 (73.4%) of females and 41 (26.6%) males. The majority (79.2%) were having low knowledge while (20.8%) were having moderate knowledge. Twenty-six participants (16.9%) did not receive any information about LBP. The majority (70.9%) were having high attitude, while few participants (20.1%) were having moderate attitude with regard to low back pain prevention. About half (57.8%) of the participants were having adequate practices while (42.2%) were having inadequate practices about low back pain prevention. There was a statistically significant associated with adequate practice such as education level and working wards with P=0.03 and P 0.013 respectively. Health care providers with bachelor's degree were about 19 times more likely to have adequate practices about LBP prevention compared to those with secondary level of education with [OR=18.794; 95%CI=2.424-145.7; P=0.03].
Conclusion(s): The results of this study show insufficient practice, low knowledge as health workers towards prevention measure of LBP. Physiotherapists as professionals to be referred at were not consulted. This can result in higher presenteeism as well as absenteeism. Therefore comprehensive prevention programs are needed.
Implications: This research project may help other researchers as a start for future research aimed at improvement of quality of life of HCPs. It may also use to set physiotherapy guidelines approach as reference point of awareness raising, policy settings and prevention measure program. Moreover, the Ministry of education can set educational programs for the basic introduction of physiotherapy to all linked medical students at the university to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice at working environment place.
Keywords: KAP (knowledge, Attitude and Practice), Lower back pain, Health Care providers
Funding acknowledgements: The work was funded by Mount Kenya University, NSANZABIZERA M., MUKAMANZI R. and MUKARWEGO R. MUHAYIMANA A.
Purpose: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and factors associated with the practices of LBP prevention among health care providers have contributed to the commitment of global health to raise awareness and education and related risk factors and the prevention measures.
Methods: No standardized questionnaires with regard to knowledge, attitudes and practice of LBP prevention among HCPs were found in the literature. A modified self-administered questionnaire based on the literature developed by the researcher was used for this study. A random sampling strategy among 250 HCPs (doctor, pharmacist, nurses, midwife and allied health care providers) working at Kibagabaga hospital filled in the questionnaire and data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 21.
Results: We obtained data from 154 participants who filled in the questionnaires consisting of 113 (73.4%) of females and 41 (26.6%) males. The majority (79.2%) were having low knowledge while (20.8%) were having moderate knowledge. Twenty-six participants (16.9%) did not receive any information about LBP. The majority (70.9%) were having high attitude, while few participants (20.1%) were having moderate attitude with regard to low back pain prevention. About half (57.8%) of the participants were having adequate practices while (42.2%) were having inadequate practices about low back pain prevention. There was a statistically significant associated with adequate practice such as education level and working wards with P=0.03 and P 0.013 respectively. Health care providers with bachelor's degree were about 19 times more likely to have adequate practices about LBP prevention compared to those with secondary level of education with [OR=18.794; 95%CI=2.424-145.7; P=0.03].
Conclusion(s): The results of this study show insufficient practice, low knowledge as health workers towards prevention measure of LBP. Physiotherapists as professionals to be referred at were not consulted. This can result in higher presenteeism as well as absenteeism. Therefore comprehensive prevention programs are needed.
Implications: This research project may help other researchers as a start for future research aimed at improvement of quality of life of HCPs. It may also use to set physiotherapy guidelines approach as reference point of awareness raising, policy settings and prevention measure program. Moreover, the Ministry of education can set educational programs for the basic introduction of physiotherapy to all linked medical students at the university to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice at working environment place.
Keywords: KAP (knowledge, Attitude and Practice), Lower back pain, Health Care providers
Funding acknowledgements: The work was funded by Mount Kenya University, NSANZABIZERA M., MUKAMANZI R. and MUKARWEGO R. MUHAYIMANA A.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine; Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Mount Kenya University Rwanda
Ethics committee: Mount Kenya University research board
Ethics number: No MKU04/PGS&R/143/2018
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
