Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a silent epidemic among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses that threatens personal health and quality of care. The issue, however, extends beyond mere prevalence: why are nurses, despite their awareness, unable to act to manage their own health? An illuminating cross-sectional study conducted on ۳۶۶
ICU nurses used the Health Belief Model and tools such as the Patient Activation Measure (PAMQ) to delve into this paradox. The study's key finding reveals a deep gap between awareness (with a score of ۷۵.۱%) and action (with an overall activation level of ۶۹.۰%). Regression analysis shows this inaction is rooted in factors beyond individual knowledge: "presenteeism" (working while sick) and a lack of "perceived social support" act as the primary predictors, explaining ۶۳.۹% of the variance in behavior. This study clearly shows that the solution is not more theoretical training. Instead, interventions must shift toward changing organizational culture, creating real support systems, and strengthening nurses' self-efficacy to break this vicious cycle.Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a silent epidemic among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses that threatens personal health and quality of care. The issue, however, extends beyond mere prevalence: why are nurses, despite their awareness, unable to act to manage their own health? An illuminating cross-sectional study conducted on ۳۶۶
ICU nurses used the Health Belief Model and tools such as the Patient Activation Measure (PAMQ) to delve into this paradox. The study's key finding reveals a deep gap between awareness (with a score of ۷۵.۱%) and action (with an overall activation level of ۶۹.۰%). Regression analysis shows this inaction is rooted in factors beyond individual knowledge: "presenteeism" (working while sick) and a lack of "perceived social support" act as the primary predictors, explaining ۶۳.۹% of the variance in behavior. This study clearly shows that the solution is not more theoretical training. Instead, interventions must shift toward changing organizational culture, creating real support systems, and strengthening nurses' self-efficacy to break this vicious cycle.