Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Situational Analysis among Perioperative Nursing Staff
Songkham W, RN, PhD1, Tangsathajaroenporn W, RN, MNS2, Wisetborisut A, MD, MSc3
Affiliation : 1 Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2 Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand 3 Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : Perioperative nursing staff is a high-risk group for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), so the risk factors should be
explored.
Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and August 2015. The purposive sample comprised
186 perioperative nursing personnel working at a university hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A self-reported questionnaire was
used to measure physical and psychological workload, personal factors, and the occurrence of MSDs.
Results : The findings showed the rate of MSDs among perioperative nursing staff in at least one body part during the 12-month
period was 83.9 percent and that during the 7-day period was 71.8 percent. The most common MSDs were lower back (60.6%),
shoulder (60.0%), and knee (52.8%). There was a significant association between MSDs and physical workload (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.1
to 5.9), and psychosocial workload-i.e., demand of hiding emotions (OR = 3.9, CI = 1.2 to 9.7) and emotional demand (OR = 2.6, CI =
1.1 to 6.0).
Conclusions: There was a high reported occurrence of MSDs among perioperative nursing personnel, which seem to be associated
with their high volume physical and psychosocial workload.
Keywords : Risk factors, Musculoskeletal disorders, Perioperative nursing staff
