Prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders among nurses in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This descriptive design study aimed at finding out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in two teaching hospitals in Osun State of Nigeria. A self- designed questionnaire was used to collect information from one hundred and thirty eight (138) respondents .The questionnaire was divided into demographic attributes, factors precipitating to work related musculoskeletal disorders, part of the body affected, and units where the respondents were working. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage. The results showed that there was high prevalent rate of lower back musculoskeletal disorders in nurses (70.3%), resulting  after working hours 45.7%, musculoskeletal disorders was prevalent within the age groups of 26 – 31 (100%), 50years and above (100%) and 20 – 25 (94.7%). Musculoskeletal disorders was found to be prevalent in male nurses (100%) than female nurses (92.2%) while it was observed that musculoskeletal disorders was more prevalent in nurses working in theatre (100%) and medical wards (100%), Accident and Emergency Unit 91.7%. It was concluded that more nurses should be allowed to run a shift so that they could assist each other. Nursing implication for the study and recommendations were proferred.

Key words:- Prevalence, Musculoskeletal disorder, Nurses.