Musculoskeletal disorders among female Australian nurses working in a unique tropical environment: results from a pilot study

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among Australian nurses using a previously validated, self-reporting questionnaire. From a total group of 148 females, 92.6% reported an MSD of some description occurring within the previous l2-month period. Lower back was the most commonly reported body site (74,3%), followed by the neck (58.1%), shoulders (43.2%) and upper back (31.1%). Tobacco smoking was correlated with MSD as follows: lower arm MSD (OR 8.6, 95%CI 1.6-64.7, P = 0.0187). lower back MSD (OR 3.4, 95%CI 1.1-12.8, P=0.0470) and wrist MSD (OR 3.2, 95%CI 1.1-9.3, P = 0.0292). Alcohol consumption was also correlated with MSD at the following body sites: Upper arm MSD (OR 3.5, 95%CI 1.1-13.8, P = O.0455), MSD of the upper legs (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.4-9.2, P = 0.0124) and MSD of the upper back (0R 2.4, 95%CI 1.1-5.0, P = 0,0442). Overall, this pilot study suggests that Australian nurses working in a tropical environment may report MSD at rates higher than their counterparts in other countries. Further research of a larger scale is necessary to determine the true nature of MSD among this unique occupational group.