Objective To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in different parts of the lower back and lower limbs among nurses in tertiary hospitals and to analyze the association between ergonomics risk factors and the risk of WMSDs in these body parts.
Methods Using stratified cluster sampling, 3 060 nurses from 15 tertiary hospitals were selected as the research subjects from 2018 to 2020. The electronic questionnaire system of the Chinese Version Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to collect information on the prevalence of WMSDs and related risk factors among these nurses. Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between ergonomic risk factors and the risk of WMSDs in different parts of the lower back and lower limbs.
Results The prevalence of lower back WMSDs was the highest among nurses, at 29.1%; the prevalence of leg, foot, or ankle WMSDs was 21.6% and 19.6%, respectively; and the prevalence of knee WMSDs was the lowest, at 15.3%. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that working more than 40 hours per week, having a total working time of more than 10 years, working with long bent knees, manual handling of heavy loads, working in uncomfortable postures, repetitive operations, completing tasks in the same location, and having a bachelor's degree or higher increased the risk of lower back WMSDs (OR=1.20-2.26, P < 0.05). Physical exercise reduced the risk (OR=0.64-0.75, P < 0.05). Working more than 40 hours per week, working with long bent knees, and having frequent communication with patients increased the risk of WMSDs in various parts of the lower limbs (OR=1.30-2.36, P < 0.05). Prolonged standing, working in uncomfortable postures, and performing the same tasks daily increased the risk of leg WMSDs (OR=1.82-2.05, P < 0.05). Manual handling of heavy loads, working in uncomfortable postures, and performing the same tasks daily increased the risk of foot or ankle WMSDs (OR=1.35-1.90, P < 0.05). Being aged ≥ 30 years and manual handling of heavy loads increased the risk of knee WMSDs (OR=1.36, 1.36, P < 0.05). Prolonged seated work reduced the risk of leg, knee, and foot or ankle WMSDs (OR=0.60-0.70, P < 0.05).
Conclusions Nurses in tertiary hospitals had different degrees of risk for WMSDs in different parts of the lower back and lower limbs. Improvements can be made through enhanced education and training, the establishment of relevant systems, and the provision of appropriate operational tools.
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