Low back pain, work overload, and associated factors among hospital caregivers


MEDENİ V., TOKATLI DOĞAN M., Medeni İ., UĞRAŞ DİKMEN A., İLHAN M. N.

Work (Reading, Mass.), cilt.78, sa.1, ss.167-179, 2024 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 78 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3233/wor-230524
  • Dergi Adı: Work (Reading, Mass.)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Environment Index, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.167-179
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Caregivers, health personnel, low back pain, occupational accidents, workload, wounds and injuries
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

BACKGROUND: Caregivers assist patients in treatment based on their care needs and living activities. Very few studies have been conducted specifically on the occupational health and safety of hospital caregivers. OBJECTİVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of excessive workload and low back pain among hospital caregivers and to identify potential associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included caregivers working at Gazi University Hospital. Socio-demographic and working-life characteristics were assessed. The Role Overload Scale was used to determine excessive workload and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was used to evaluate low back pain. RESULTS: The study included 528 participants. A total of 18.7% had work accidents in their department. 49.0% had sharp injuries. 68.9% of the participants performed tasks such as positioning, turning, lifting, or helping patients to walk. 72.2% stood for a long time during the workday. 52.8% thought that they worked under stress. 57.6% had low back pain in the last year and 38.6% in the last month, Significant differences exist in low back pain according to gender, body-mass index, standing for a long time and working under stress. Those who worked at night, had a work accident, positioned patients, stood for a long time, and worked under stress had higher mean scores on the Role Overload Scale. CONCLUSION: Tools should be used to lift and transport patients. In addition to occupational health and safety training, awareness of musculoskeletal risks should be increased. Employee well-being can be improved through exercise and stress reduction techniques.