The prevalence of low back pain among nurses working in Poursina hospital in Rasht, Iran

Objective: Low back pain is the most common skeletal disorder worldwide that ۵۰% to ۸۰% of people experience it at least once in their lifetime. Physical and psychological factors in the work environment can relatively contribute to low back pain. In this study, we examined the prevalence of low back pain and influential factors in its development among nursing staff.   Methods: In this cross-sectional study we assessed the prevalence of low back pain among nurses working in Poursina hospital, Rasht, Iran, during March and April ۲۰۱۲. Demographic data and information on the status of skeletal pain, as well as, associated factors were collected using a pre-designed check list. Data were analyzed using SPSS version ۱۶.   Results: A total of ۳۵۰ nurses with a mean age of ۳۲.۰۰ ± ۸.۲۴ years (minimum ۲۲ and maximum ۵۶ years) were studied (۹۰.۳% female). ۲۴۶ participants (۷۰.۳%) had a history of low back pain. There was no significant difference between gender and the incidence of low back pain, (P = ۰.۲۸۶). ۹۶ participants (۲۷.۴%) aged ۲۷ to ۳۱ had the highest rate of low back pain and ۱۱ participants (۳.۱%) aged ۵۲ to ۵۶ were the least frequent age group. Low back pain significantly differed by age (P = ۰.۰۰۱), body mass index (BMI) (P = ۰.۲۲۲), and physical activity (P = ۰.۰۵۰).   Conclusion: The results of this study showed a prevalence of ۷۰% for low back pain among nurses working in Poursina hospital in Rasht, in Gilan province. Age, BMI, and physical activity were significantly associated with the prevalence of low back pain. However, gender, occupation, marital status, smoking, family history, frequency of lifting heavy things, work experience, and workplace did not show a significant relationship

Keywords:

Low back pain , Nurses , Prevalence , risk factors