Prevalence, Risk Factors, Burden and Prevention of Low Back Pain among Nurses at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) and its negative effects on the nurses’ quality-of-life are worrisome. Studies on LBP among nurses are scanty in Nigeria. Study assessed prevalence, risk-factors, burdens and prevention of LBP among clinical nurses at University College Hospital, Nigeria.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study that utilized quota and convenience sampling techniques in selecting 406 nurses. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Level of Significance, p≤0.05.

Results: Mean age of respondents was 39.51±8.525. Prevalence of LBP was very high (83.7%) among clinical nurses in the study setting. Risk-factors identified by respondents include some nursing activities, perceived stress and lack of job satisfaction. Analgesic use, movement restriction, low productivity, and psychological concern were among the burdens of LBP identified by the respondents. Preventive measures suggested include training of nurses on relaxation techniques, proper use of body mechanism/proper posture, and provision of mechanical assistive turning/lifting devices. Chi-square analysis showed that gender (χ2 =6.450, p=0.022) and nursing procedures were significantly associated with prevalence of LBP among clinical nurses in the facility.

Conclusions: High prevalence of LBP among clinical nurses of the facility has negative consequences on the general well-being of the victims, the profession, the clients/patients, the facility and the entire society. There is urgent need to put policies and strategies in place to curb high prevalence of LBP and its consequences on the clinical nurses in the facility as identified in the study.