Predictors and prevalence of lower quadrant work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hospital-based nurses: A cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant problem for nurses. It is thus important to investigate nurses' WMSDs prevalence and comprehensive predictors including motor, mental, and lifestyle factors.


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the prevalence and predictors of lower quadrant WMSDs among Jordanian nurses.


METHODS
A cross-sectional design, using self-administered questionnaires, was utilized. Outcome measures included Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sociodemographic data, and self-reported work ergonomics. Descriptive analyses were used to determine lower quadrant WMSDs prevalence and regression analyses were used to assess their predictors.


RESULTS
A total of 597 nurses participated in the study. Twelve-month prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs were 77.4% in lower back, 22.3% in hips, 37.5% in knees, and 28.5% in ankles and feet. Older age, longer years of experience, high workload, poor work habits and ergonomics, high physical activity level, availability of patient handling equipment, handling policies, stress, and anxiety were significant predictors (p< 0.05) of lower quadrant WMSDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Jordanian nurses have a high prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs. Many modifiable risk factors of WMSDs were identified. Future studies need to design effective treatment and preventive strategies for nurses' WMSDs to improve their work efficiency and wellbeing.
['Almhdawi|Khader A|KA|', 'Alrabbaie|Hassan|H|', 'Kanaan|Saddam F|SF|', 'Oteir|Alaa O|AO|', 'Jaber|Alaa F|AF|', 'Ismael|Noor T|NT|', 'Obaidat|Donia S|DS|']
D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D006804:Ergonomics D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases D009726:Nurses D009784:Occupational Diseases D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D016526:Workload
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders nurses lower back wellbeing lower extremities