Low back pain among medical surgical nurses in Lebanon

Abstract

Nurses throughout the world complain of low back pain. The prevalence of low back pain among nurses in Lebanon is particularly high. Low back pain among nurses anywhere is a significant occupational health issues because it affects psychosocial wellbeing, limits daily activities, and increases workforce costs due to attrition and high replacement costs. A national survey of nurses in Lebanon provided data for a secondary analysis of low back pain among medical and surgical nurses in Lebanon. The objectives of the secondary analysis were: 1) Identify the prevalence of low back pain in registered and practical nurses working on medical surgical floors in Lebanon. 2)Investigate the relationship between demographic factors (age group, years of experience and degree-education) and low back pain among registered and practical nurses working on medical surgical floors in Lebanon. 3) Explore the relationship between nursing tasks and low back pain among registered and practical nurses working on medical surgical floors in Lebanon. The study findings revealed a high prevalence of low back pain among 1084 (registered and practical nurses working on medical and surgical floors throughout Lebanon. There was no significant association between demographic factors and low back pain. There was a marginal association between specific nursing tasks and low back pain. A highly reliable scale for measuring nursing tasks has been constructed for validation in future studies.