Relationship between knowledge of ergonomics and work-place conditions with musculoskeletal disorders among nurses of two Iranian hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the common factors of work-related injuries in the developed and developing countries and this study tries to identify risk factors in this criteria case. This study was aimed to evaluate the nurses', awareness of ergonomic principles of work place, their employment problems and work-related injuries in two Iranian hospitals. Methods: To perform this study, 335 nursing personnel who fulfilled inclusion to participate were selected from 13 different wards of two hospitals. For data collection, a verified five staged questionnaire was used. Results: Nurses' awareness of ergonomic principles, working conditions and work-related injuries and problems received 2.93 0.58, 2.23 0.54 and 2.66 0.76 scores out of 5, respectively. According to the obtained average scores, nurses' awareness of safety principles was mediocre and two other indices were scored low and weak. Conclusion: Therefore it is necessary to adopt comprehensive training programs in order to increase nurses' awareness of ergonomics principles in work places and improve their working conditions.

Keywords

• nurses
• musculoskeletal disorders
• ergonomics