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Tarimo N.1, Kachopwa E.1, Mussa F.1, Pendame F.1
1University of Malawi, Physiotherapy, Blantyre, Malawi
Background: There is an increased prevalence of low back (LBP) among the nurses worldwide. The nursing population in Malawi is not spared. The nature of their work, may play role for them to develop LBP.There is no data available on prevalence of CLBP among nurses in Malawi. Thus, this study sought to determine the prevalence of chronic LBP among the nurses in Blantyre, Malawi.
Purpose: To establish the prevalence CLBP among nurses in Blantyre Malawi
Methods: A quantitative method, using a cross section study design was employed. A self -administered question was used to collect data. This instrument was adopted from the study previously conducted in Turkey. It captured the demographic information, work experience, unit of work, history of LBP, duration of the pain and its severity. Data was entered into Epi Info version 3.5.4 for analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarise the data. Fishers exact test was used to determine any association between the prevalence of CLBP with personal characteristics of the participants. The Alpha level of significance was set at 0.05. All ethical issues relating to the study were sought and adhered to throughout the study period.
Results: 220 questionnaires were distributed. 139 were returned yielding to a response rate of 63%. However, 5 questionnaires were excluded from data analysis due to incomplete data. Thus, 134 were analysed. The mean age of the study sample was 40 years (SD= 11.58). Female comprised 94% of the sample. About 52% of the participants reported having LBP. 43% of them reported CLBP of more than six months duration. The age group mostly affected ranged from 30-39 years. No association was noted between the age (p= 0.58), gender (p= 0.11), years of experience (p= 0.08) and the prevalence of CLBP.
Conclusion(s): It is evident that LBP is a serious health problem in the Malawi nursing population. The prevalence of CLBP among nurses in Blantyre is high. There is a need to device strategies to prevent the development of LBP, and its transition from acute to chronic among nurses.
Implications: This study has highlighted the prevalence of CLBP among nurses within Blantyre. Although the sample size is small to generalise the results, but the high prevalence established by this study indicates that LBP is a chronic health problem among nurses in Malawi. It can therefore serve as basis to conduct a larger study to establish national wide prevalence among the nurses.
Funding acknowledgements: Malawi -Liverpool Welcome Trust
Topic: Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval: College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
