Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are injuries affecting the connective tissues of the body. They are leading causes of occupational injury and disability in the world. In Kenya, nurses are exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders because of long hours of static work with awkward postures, heavy load lifting and repetitive movement. The main aim of this study was to assess work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses working in private and public hospital in Mombasa County. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. A self administered questionnaire was used to gather information from 130 randomly selected nurses out of a sample size of 169 giving a response rate of 79.9%. Ergonomic issues perceived by the nurses as factors causing WRMSDs found to be significant (p≤0.05). The study showed that 76.9% of the nurses were female while 23.1% were males. Analysis showed that there was no significant association (P=0.40) between any age category and the gender as well as nursing profession. The 12 months prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal among the nurses at any body part was 70.8%. The WRMSDs was highest in the low back (76.9%), followed by the neck (53.8%) then shoulder and ankle/feet (48.5%). The leading risk factor for WRMSDs were inadequate training on injury prevention (93.1%) followed by working in the same position (89.2%) carrying and lifting or moving heavy material or equipment (81.5%). The level of awareness of nurses on WRMSDs was moderate to high. There was strong association between prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders and how they affect the nurses’ productivity and patient care in hospitals (p<0.05). The findings can be used by the hospitals administrators to come up with proper guidelines on addressing prevention and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in order to reduce the rate of occupational hazards and improve patients’ care in hospitals.