Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and Their Related Factors Among Nurses in a Private Hospital in Muar District, Johor
Keywords:
musculoskeletal disorders, nurses, ergonomic awareness, private hospital, occupational healthAbstract
Introduction:
MSDs are a major occupational health concern among nurses due to the physically demanding nature of their work. Despite global recognition, local data in private hospitals in Malaysia remains scarce. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the prevalence of MSDs among nurses in a private hospital setting. Additionally, it intends to examine the associations between MSDs and various sociodemographic, lifestyle, occupational, and psychosocial factors, while also exploring the potential mitigating role of ergonomic awareness in reducing MSD-related risks.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2024 among nurses at a private hospital in Muar, Johor. A total of 103 nurses (n=103) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited using universal sampling (73% response rate). Data were collected using a set of validated, self-administered questionnaires, including the Modified Nordic Questionnaire (MNQ), the Occupational Factor Questionnaire (OFQ), the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS), and the Ergonomic Knowledge Questionnaire (EKQ). All data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0 with simple and multiple logistic regression to identify significant associations (p<0.25).
Results:
The 12-month prevalence of MSDs was 90.3%, with the lower back (86.7%), neck (86.0%), and shoulder (85.0%) being the most affected regions. In simple logistic regression, repetitive tasks were significantly associated with MSDs, and this association remained significant in the multiple logistic regression model (adjusted OR=4.50, 95% CI: 1.11–18.30, p=0.036).
Conclusion:
The high prevalence of MSDs among nurses warrants urgent ergonomic interventions. Emphasis should be placed on awareness, neutral postures, rest breaks, stretching, and proper lifting techniques to reduce the risk of MSDs and ensure long-term musculoskeletal health.
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