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Mashola M.K.1, Lukhele Z.2, Müller K.2, Nhlapo J.2, Pieterse A.2, Swanepoel A.2, Wagener L.2
1University of Pretoria, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa, 2University of Pretoria, School of Health Care Sciences, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa
Background: Majority of nurses working in spinal cord injury rehabilitation units (NuSCI) in Pretoria, South Africa have reported the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). The most common WRMDs was found to be lower back pain. It is importance to determine the NuSCIs perceived job risk factors in order to create successful specific prevention programmes.
Purpose: To determine the perceived job risk factors associated with WRMDs in South African NuSCI.
Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on NuSCI with at least 12 months professional experience in four centres in Pretoria, South Africa. Fifty-nine validated self-administered questionnaires were analysed using SPSS version 23. The questionnaires used were adapted from the Nordic questionnaire (Kuorinka et al. 1987:236).
Results: There were 57.6% NuSCI who reported WRMDs. The most common perceived job risk factor reported by NuSCI was bending or twisting the back in an awkward way (n=36, 61%). Thirty-two NuSCI (54%) perceived treating an excessive number of patients daily as well working in the same positions for prolonged periods as risk factors. The least perceived risk factor was assisting patients in gait activities (n=13, 22%).
Conclusion(s): Nurses in SCI are at more risk of WRMDs due to the high physcal demands that comes with nursing patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Positioning of the body during transfers as well as increased work load has an impact on the occurrence of WRMDs.
Implications: Post-basic SCI courses are imperative to equip NuSCI with necessary skills to safely transfer SCI patients. The NuSCIs perceived coping strategies will need to be investigated to determine if the strategies employed are effetive in preventing further injury. In the light of the fact that NuSCI felt overworked at times, management needs to play a positive role in the scheduling of hours and staffing of units. This will provide an effetive combined intervention of not only managing WRMDs, but preventing them as well.
Funding acknowledgements: This study was personally funded by the authors
Topic: Professional practice: other
Ethics approval: The Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of Pretoria awarded this study ethical approval (532/2015)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
