Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in university hospital nurses

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptom prevalence in university hospital nurses and explore the relation between musculoskeletal symptom prevalence and work related factors. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was conducted with 620 nurses in a university hospital to look into the characters of responsibility and musculoskeletal symptom prevalence. The questionnaire respondents numbered 534, so the response rate was 86.1%. Among the respondents, three who gave insincere answers were excluded. The final study population was 531 respondents. ANSI Z-365 checklist was applied to look into ergonomic characteristics, and Korean Occupational Stress Scale Short Form was employed to measure job stress. RESULTS: In the case of the whole body, symptom prevalence amounted to 70.8%. Regarding each body region, shoulder symptom prevalence accounted for the highest, or 44.8%, waist 40.7%, and neck 33.3% in order. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, in the case of the whole body, the group with a high ANSI checklist grade had odds ratio of 3.59 (95% CI 1.48 ~ 8.76), and the group with high job stress had 3.19 (95% CI 2.01 ~ 5.07). CONCLUSION: Regarding the occupational factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms of university hospital nurses, it was found that ANSI Z-365 checklist high risk group, total job tenure, department, shiftworks, and job stress had high relation with musculoskeletal symptoms. It is necessary to find an ergonomic solution and a stress reduction plan to prevent musculoskeletal disease.