Low Back Pain of Hospital Nursing Personnel

병원 간호인력의 요통발생실태와 관련요인

For the purpose of disclosing the magnitude of low back pain problems of hospital nursing personnel and its possible causes, a questionaire survey was carried out on 418 nurses and nurse aides if a university hospital in Seoul. The results were as follows : 1. Of 418 nurse and nurse aides, 268 persons(64.1%) have experienced 1,145 spells of low back pain during 6-month period. 2. The pain and/or discomfort was mostly limited to the back, although 19% of the episodes accompanied radiating pain to the low extremities. 3. Of those with low back pain, 23 persons(8.6%) were medically diagnosed and 17 persons(6.3%)-underwent medical treatment. Those who sick leave amounted to 8 persons(3.0%). 4. The occurrence of low back pain showed significant association with assignment of duties(wards) and work shifts, while the association was not significant in terms of ranks, careers and overtimes. 5. The occurrence of low back pain was closely associated with lifting and carrying of loads, standing and twisting postures as well as the amount of work. 6. Among the nonoccupational factors, drinking showed statistically significant association with the occurrence of low back pain.