Prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese healthcare professionals working in tertiary hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Relationship between mental workload and musculoskeletal disorders with intention to leave service among nurses working at neonatal and pediatric departments: a cross-sectional study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Despite the challenge of nursing shortage in the world and its subsequent impact on care quality as well as aggravation of the situation by intention to leave service, this issue has not been properly addressed, especially among neonatal and pediatric nurses. The present study aims to identify the relationship between mental workload and musculoskeletal disorders with intention to leave the service among nurses working at neonatal and pediatric departments.

METHODS

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 145 nurses working at neonatal and pediatric departments in six hospitals in Bushehr Province using full-census method. The data were collected using national aeronautics and space administration-task load index (NASA-TLX), Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire(CMDQ) and Mobley and Horner's voluntary turnover questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson's and Spearman correlation tests and hierarchical linear regression in simultaneous model in SPSS 19.0.

RESULTS

The mean score of intention to leave the service was 9.57 ± 3.20 (higher than the moderate level) and the mean mental workload was 71.65 ± 15.14 (high level). Pain in at least one of the legs (100%), back (77.3%) and knees (76.6%) was highly prevalent. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between musculoskeletal disorder categories and intention to leave the service (p > 0.05). The regression analysis results revealed among mental workload domains, only effort-induced workload was negatively and significantly correlated with intention to leave the service (p = 0.003; β=-0.078). However, the number of night shifts per month was positively and significantly correlated with intention to leave the service (p = 0.001; β = 0.176).

CONCLUSIONS

Planning for appropriate allocation of night shifts, investigating the etiology of musculoskeletal disorders and providing solutions for reducing mental workload should be prioritized by policymakers, while maintaining pediatric nurses' motivation for making efforts.

Ergonomic Assessment of Septorhinoplasty Maneuvers During Simulated Pregnancy

Objective

Women represent an increasing proportion of the otolaryngology workforce. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are a little-studied yet important impediment to career completion. Scant attention has been directed to study the impact of pregnancy on surgeon posture and ergonomics. We piloted the use of a pregnancy simulation suit (Empathy Belly) to assess the risk of ergonomic compromise when performing open septorhinoplasty.

Study Design

Surgical simulation.

Setting

Single session, training simulation lab at academic medical center.

Methods

Medical students and surgical residents performed the initial steps of a rhinoplasty procedure without and with a pregnancy simulation suit and were filmed with an artificial intelligence-based video analysis app from Kinetica Labs that calculates joint angles and categorizes the ergonomic risk factors. Still images from videos were taken and analyzed using validated posture-based analysis rubrics. Participants were asked to complete a qualitative questionnaire after the session.

Results

Twelve medical students and surgical residents participated in the study. Posture-based analysis indicated increased ergonomics risk factors among trainees when performing a rhinoplasty while wearing the pregnancy suit. Video analysis indicated trends of worsening back angle and shoulder postures. Trainees reported experiencing pain in the neck, suprapubic area, and lower back. They acknowledged the importance of ergonomics in otolaryngology and desired further education about workplace injury risk mitigation.

Conclusion

Pregnancy impacts the ergonomics of performing septorhinoplasty and further investigation is required into interventions to reduce risk of WRMSDs.

Musculoskeletal disorders and its associated factors among hospital cleaners in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

There is a paucity of published evidence about musculoskeletal disorders among hospital cleaners in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its associated factors among hospital cleaners in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 437 hospital cleaners participated in the study. A standardized questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hospital cleaners was 57.2% with 95% CI (52.6-62.0). Occupational safety training [AOR: 2.34, 95% CI (1.47-3.73)], repetitive tasks [AOR: 3.09, 95% CI (1.61-5.94)], heavy lifting [AOR: 5.21, 95% CI (3.20-8.48)], work-related stress [AOR: 2.42, 95% CI (1.48-3.97) and work-related dissatisfaction [AOR: 1.97, 95% CI (1.23-3.13)] were identified as associated factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. In conclusion the study revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder. Notably, work related and organizational factors emerged as key contributing factors to the development of disorders. The identified associations underscore the importance of targeted interventions promoting organizational change involving managers to mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and enhance overall occupational health and well-being.

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder among health care workers in Damascus, Syria. A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

Healthcare workers in particular frequently report Work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WRMSDs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and features of WRMSDs in residents from different specialties and trainee nurses from educational hospitals in Damascus, Syria.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken aiming at the medical residents and the trainee nurses working in the public health sector in 11 hospitals. The sample size was found to be 2016. In this study, a modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was employed.

Results

After the inclusion and exclusion criteria was the number of the participants 1855. In general, musculoskeletal pain was in the past week (69%) and the past 12 months (85%). Musculoskeletal pain in medical care practitioners was found to be linked to higher mean age (p = 0.0053) and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0437) in the last year. Females had a higher prevalence of WRMSDs than males (p = 0.0036), and those who were married also had a higher prevalence (p = 0.0218). Working longer hours per week and per month were associated with musculoskeletal pain in the previous 7 days (p = 0.0043 and p = 0.0003, respectively).

Conclusion

WRMSD prevalence was 85% among our study participants in the previous year. The most common complaint was lower back pain. Aging, female gender, and increasing BMI have been associated with higher reporting of WRMSDs. Our results suggested that doctors were twice as susceptible to developing WRMSDs as nurses. These results highlight the increasing urgency for ergonomics training programs and effective interventions to reduce WRMSDs and enhance working conditions for healthcare professionals in Syria.

The association between adverse ergonomic factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among medical staff in China: a cross-sectional study

We investigated the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSs) among medical staff and evaluated the associations of different levels of adverse ergonomic factors with WMSs. A total of 6099 Chinese medical staff were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire to assess the prevalence and risk factors of WMSs from June 2018 to December 2020. A prevalence rate of 57.5% was observed for WMSs among overall medical staffs, which mainly affected the neck (41.7%) and shoulder (33.5%). 'Keeping sitting for long hours very frequently' (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.53) was positively associated with WMSs in doctors, while 'keeping sitting for long hours occasionally' (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.97) was identified as a protective factor of WMSs in nurses. The associations of adverse ergonomic factors, organisational factors, and environmental factors with WMSs were different among medical staff in different positions.Practitioner summary: We conducted a multi-city study concerning the risk factors of WMSs by carrying out a face-to-face one-to-multiple questionnaire survey among medical staff in China. As a risk factor of WMSs in medical staff, adverse ergonomic factors should be paid more attention by the standard setting department and policy makers.Abbreviations: WMSDs: work-related musculoskeletal disorders; WMSs: work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders; NMQ: Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires; DMQ: Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaires; NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; ORs: odds ratios.

Low Back Pain in Resident Doctors with Standardized Training in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent occupational disease with high morbidity among healthcare workers. Since the implementation of standardized residency training in China in 2015, the training intensity has significantly increased, which may lead to a higher incidence of LBP. However, epidemiological studies on LBP among resident doctors with standardized training remain scarce.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of LBP among resident doctors with standardized training in a tertiary hospital in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to collect information on demographics, lifestyle factors, work-related factors, and LBP from 345 resident doctors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the prevalence of LBP. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with LBP.

Results

Among 345 participants, the 1-year prevalence of LBP was 75.9%. Multivariable analysis revealed that physical exercise, weekly working hours, and prolonged sitting were independent risk factors for LBP.

Conclusion

The prevalence of LBP among resident doctors was high. Promoting physical exercise, controlling working hours, and improving sitting posture may help prevent LBP. The study was limited by its cross-sectional design and self-reported data. Future studies should use longitudinal designs, objective measures, and larger and more representative samples to further explore the epidemiology and etiology of LBP among resident doctors with standardized training.

The Association Between Shoulder Pain and Disability Among Saudi Office Workers

Background and objective Shoulder pain stands out as the most prevalent musculoskeletal issue that office workers face. This type of pain has been observed to be linked to various aspects of one's job. To address this concern, the current research endeavors to examine the impact of digital device use on the intensity of shoulder pain and the extent of disability experienced by office employees in Saudi Arabia. This study is driven by two principal objectives. Firstly, it aims to assess the overall occurrence of shoulder discomfort and functional limitations among the Saudi office worker population. Secondly, it seeks to draw comparisons between the parameters of the shoulder pain and disability scale and the amount of time spent using electronic screens. Methodology This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We recruited 150 participants to measure shoulder pain and disability among office workers. The study was carried out to determine the general frequency of shoulder discomfort and impairment by using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The survey was conducted online in June 2022 via Google Forms. The survey questions included data regarding age, sex, year of study, exercise, and duration of computer time per day (hours).  Results This study recruited 150 participants to measure shoulder pain and disability among office workers. The mean age of the cohort was 42.56 ± 2.56 years. Among the total participants, 90 (60%) were male, and 60 (40%) were female. We observed that pain parameters had a negative correlation of -0.008 with screen time. The participants who had high shoulder pain and disability scores were older in age and spent less than two hours on screens, which affects the correlation results, and hence we recommend performing a study involving the younger population working on screen for more than four hours to find the better correlation. At the same time, the shoulder disability score reported a correlation of 0.05, and the overall correlation between SPADI and screen time was observed to be 0.04. Based on these findings, the present study observed a weak correlation between SPADI and screen time. Conclusion These results suggest that while there may be some association between screen time and shoulder pain and disability, it is not substantial. Therefore, it is unlikely that screen time alone significantly contributes to the occurrence or severity of shoulder pain and disability among office workers. Additional factors and variables may need to be explored in future research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this issue.

The Prevalence and Impact of Low Back Pain Among Anaesthesia Care Providers in South-South, Nigeria

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder, that significantly impedes productivity. This study aims to ascertain the risk factors responsible for developing low back pain and the impact on personal workplace service delivery among Anesthetist's practicing in Rivers and Bayelsa States of Nigeria.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted, A self-administered questionnaire reflecting the modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to detect the risk factors and assess the severity and impact of low back pain on this group of professionals. The prevalence of low back pain was calculated and described by using frequency tables. A multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the prevalence of low back pain. Significance was considered at p<0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

A total of 65 anesthetist's responded, giving a response rate of 90%. There were more males (52.3%) than females (47.7%). The majority (69.2%) of those who responded had low back pain, more in females (53.3%) compared to males (46.7%) although not significant. (P=0.994); Majority had moderate pain 58.6%, 22.7% severe and 20.5% mild pain. There was no association between low back pain and age (P=0.130), gender(P=0.994), marital status (P=0.333) and BMI (P=0.164). Bending (P=0.032), lifting (P=0.024), and standing(P=0.016) were predictive variables for low back pain and were statistically significant P<0.05.

Conclusion

Using the Oswestry pain assessment tool for LBP, the estimated prevalence of low back pain was more than fifty percent among the respondents. In this study, frequent bending and twisting, prolonged standing, and lifting were important significant associated factors in the development of LBP among anesthetist's.

Musculoskeletal pain in health professionals at the end of their studies and 1 year after entry into the profession: a multi-center longitudinal questionnaire study from Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal pain, especially back pain, is common among health care professionals (HP). For prevention purposes, it is important to know whether HP develop their symptoms before or after entering the health care workforce. Cross-sectional studies among HP cannot answer this question. This follow-up study measures the prevalence and individual course of musculoskeletal pain among full-time HP students at the end of their studies and one year after entering the health care workforce.

METHOD

Self-reported one-year prevalence for low back pain, neck/shoulder pain, pain in arms/hands, and pain in legs/feet was collected at two timepoints from 1046 participating HP using an online questionnaire. Participants were asked whether their musculoskeletal pain was related to study or work conditions. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models of the binomial family with log link were used to estimate adjusted prevalence and corresponding normal based 95% confidence intervals were derived using the bootstrap method with 1000 replications.

RESULTS

The prevalence of low back pain as well as neck and shoulder pain was very high at baseline and follow-up in all full-time students and later HP. Prevalence for pain in arms/hands, legs/feet was low and there were significant differences between the professions. HP clearly associated their low back pain and neck/shoulder pain with study and work conditions; HP strongly associated pain in arms/hands, legs/feet only with work conditions.

CONCLUSION

Many HP suffer from back/neck/shoulder pain already as students before starting their professional career. The prevention of back/neck/shoulder pain must be part of the education of all health professions at universities. As an example of best practice, universities should incorporate ergonomic measures and exercises into the daily routine of training health professionals. The effects of physically demanding professional tasks on the upper and lower extremities need to be investigated in further studies to take preventive measures.

Musculoskeletal Pain Among Eye Care Professionals

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate musculoskeletal pain among eye care professionals. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic detailed questionnaire through Google Forms. The structured questionnaire was distributed through various social media platforms targeting eye care professionals. The study included currently practicing ophthalmologists (Consultants, Specialists, Residents), optometrists, and orthoptists. Results A total of 514 eye care professionals participated in the study. The majority were younger than 30 years old (43.8%), with more than half being males (51.8%) and ophthalmologists (55.2%). The prevalence of eye care professionals who were suffering from musculoskeletal pain was 66.7%. The prevalence was significantly higher among females (76.2%) and those over 50 years old (71.4%). Sixty-eight point three percent (68.3%) of participants who don't do running exercises and 92.2% of those with comorbidities suffer from pain. The prevalence of pain among eye care professionals who every week examine more than 150 patients is 72.4%, perform more than 20 surgeries is 85.7%, and conduct more than 20 laser treatment sessions is 100%. Conclusion Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among eye care professionals. This is especially true among females and older adults (>50 years). Among different exercises, running is most protective against musculoskeletal pain. Comorbidities contribute significantly to developing pain.

Longer working hours and musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis

Objectives. Musculoskeletal pain is the most common health problem in the workplace, and one of the most important risk factors for this pain is longer working hours. This study aimed to investigate the association between long working hours and musculoskeletal pain. Methods. Based on the keywords, two scientific sources - PubMed and Embase - were reviewed. The time limit search included articles that were published until May 2020 and only studies published in English were eligible. The results of the studies were combined based on random effects and pooled odds ratio (OR) reported. The degree of heterogeneity in all analyses was investigated and reported based on χ² and I² tests. Publishing bias was also measured using statistical tests. Results. Longer working hours are associated with increased musculoskeletal pain with OR = 1.11 and 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.08, 1.14]. The result was OR = 1.52 and 95% CI [1.14, 2.03] in men and OR = 1.11 and 95% CI [1.00, 1.24] in women. Conclusion. Long working hours are an important and threatening factor for musculoskeletal health. Therefore, this issue should be considered in health policy as well as treatment and prevention.

Prevalence of laboratory-related musculoskeletal disorders among biomedical scientists

BACKGROUND

Laboratory- related musculoskeletal disorders (LMSDs) are injuries resulting from working in the laboratory. Biomedical scientists (BMSs) play an important role in any health care system. However, they are at high risk of exposure to the LMSDs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and the associated risk factors of LMSDs among this group of healthcare professionals.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to estimate the prevalence of the LMSDs among the BMSs. BMSs with occupational or non-occupational accidents that affected their musculoskeletal system were excluded from the study. A Chi-square test was performed to measure the significant association between different risk factors (age, gender, weight, height, nationality, specialty, educational level, nature of the job, and the number of experience years) and the prevalence of the LMSDs among the BMSs.

RESULTS

The study included 83 BMSs. Females represented 63.9% and 36.1% were in the age group of 35- 44. The overall prevalence of the LMSDs was 77.1%. The most prevalent LMSDs were neck, shoulders, and lower back with 50.6%, 49.4%, and 43.4%, respectively. A total of 65.57% of BMSs had irregular symptoms of LMSDs.

CONCLUSION

The study found that the prevalence of LMSDs among the BMSs was high. Good practice and training in ergonomics may minimize the prevalence of LMSDs among the BMSs.

Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in Chinese medical and dental students: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a major reason for consultation in primary care and is becoming increasingly prevalent among medical students. There is little research on the current situation of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students. Data on the analysis of risk factors related to MSP are also limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students and to explore the risk factors for MSP and students' intent to seek medical treatment.

Methods

An anonymous, internet-based, cross-sectional, open survey was distributed to medical and dental students at Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. Data on the demographic information and characteristics of MSP were collected and analyzed. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was used to analyze significant risk factors contributing to MSP.

Results

A total of 1,178 students responded to the survey (response rate = 79.6%), including 722 medical students and 456 dental students. The age ranged from 16 to 24. There were 553 male students and 625 female students. A total of 523 students reported neck pain (NP, 44.4%), 361 students reported low back pain (LBP, 30.6%), and 182 students reported joint pain (JP, 15.4%). Sixty-six students (5.6%) simultaneously suffered from NP, LBP, and JP. The prevalence of NP (49.1 vs. 41.4%, P = 0.01), LBP (34.6 vs. 28.1%, P = 0.02), and JP (20.2 vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of MSP was significantly different among the academic years for NP and LBP (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Medical and dental students' intention to seek treatment for MSP was low and was significantly associated with the severity of pain.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MSP in Chinese medical and dental students is high, especially for NP and LBP, and is significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of NP and LBP were significantly different among academic grades. Female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Students' intent to seek treatment for MSP was very low and was determined by the severity of pain.

The Impact of Quality of Work Organization on Distress and Absenteeism among Healthcare Workers

The quality of work organization may be responsible not only for reduced productivity but also for an increased risk of mental and physical disorders. This study was aimed at testing this hypothesis. Workers of a local health unit in Italy were asked to fill out the Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) during their periodic medical examinations in the second half of 2018. On the same occasion, they also completed the Demand/Control/Support (DCS) measure of job strain, the Effort/Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) to assess psychological health. A total of 345 workers (85.8%) completed the survey. Linear regression analysis showed that the quality of work organization was inversely proportional to psychological health problems (p < 0.001). Occupational stress, measured both by job strain and ERI, was a moderating factor in this relationship. The relationship between the WOAQ and psychological health, moderated by job strain or ERI, remained highly significant even after adjustment for sex, age, social support, and overcommitment. Regression models explained over 40% of the shared variance of the association between quality of work organization and psychological health. The quality of work organization significantly predicted the risk of sickness absence for musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 0.984, CI95% 0.972-0.996) and for other health problems (OR = 0.977, CI95% 0.967-0.988). A continuous improvement of work organization must consider not only the clients' or production needs but also the well-being of workers.

Interventions to prevent and reduce work-related musculoskeletal injuries and pain among healthcare professionals. A comprehensive systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the main causes of injury and pain in healthcare professionals. Previous reviews provided a fragmented view of the interventions available for WMSDs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of interventions for preventing and reducing work-related musculoskeletal injuries and/or pain among healthcare professionals, and to assess the methodological quality of studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed, based on the Effective Public Health Practice Project process. A comprehensive search was conducted on six peer-reviewed databases and manually. The methodological quality of the studies included was rated as weak, moderate, or strong. The studies were organized based on the 2019 classification of the interventions by Oakman and colleagues.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven articles were included reporting individual (n = 4), task-specific (n = 4), work organization and job design (n = 2), work environment (n = 1), and multifactorial (n = 16) interventions. Overall quality rating was strong for 6 studies, moderate for 16, and weak for 5. Individual interventions such as neuromuscular and physical exercise were effective in reducing pain. Task-specific and work organization interventions could prevent certain injuries. Significant reduction of both injuries and pain resulted from multifactorial interventions, which were reported by the majority of strong (n = 5) and moderate (n = 10) quality articles.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based information to plan interventions targeted towards reducing WMSDs. In particular, more efforts are needed to implement and extend effective multifactorial interventions. Moreover, studies about each professional healthcare target group are needed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Our results can guide policy-makers, healthcare managers and professionals to choose the best strategies to prevent and reduce WMSDs and to shape continuous education programs. This study prompts clinicians to develop inter-professional collaborations and to practice physical activities in order to reduce WMSDs.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Back Pain Among Healthcare Professionals at University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Low back pain is defined as mechanical pain of the lower part of the back. Globally large number of people suffer from low back pain and this number is increasing. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low back pain among healthcare professionals at University of Gondar Compressive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 healthcare professionals from March 20/2021-April 20/2021. A sample was selected from each profession through systematic random sampling technique after proportional allocation to each profession. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured self-administered English-version questionnaire, which was adapted from a standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. The prevalence of low back pain was calculated and described by using frequency tables. Multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the prevalence of low back pain. Significance was considered at p<0.05 with 95% confidence interval.

Results

In this study, 423 healthcare professionals were included with the response rate of 95%. Among them 59.95% were males, 48.26% were less than 30 years old, 86% were degree holders and 57.21% were married. The prevalence of low back pain was 57.46% with 95% confidence interval (95%; CI = 52.6, 62.2). The median age of the respondents was 31± (28–32 IQR) years. Being female [AOR 1.81, 95% (CI = 1.079, 3.018)], frequent bending and twisting [AOR = 1.89, 95% CI (1.121, 3.200)], prolonged standing [AOR = 2.61, 95% (CI = 1.487, 4.597)], being a nurse [AOR = 5.80, 95% (CI = 2.070, 16.226)], and being a physician [AOR = 3.82, 95% (CI = 1.264, 11.531)] were predicted variables for low back pain.

Conclusion

More than 50 percent of the participants were suffering from low back pain. In this study being female, frequent bending, prolonged standing, and type of professionals were statistically significant factors of low back pain. It is better to equip the hospital with appropriate assistive devices to decrease frequent bending and twisting of healthcare workers.

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses in Hospitals

Background Healthcare is a sector with a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The work of nurses in a hospital is associated with stress, prolonged work, uncomfortable working postures, bending and twisting of the body and etc. Aim: To identify the risk factors for the frequency and localization of musculoskeletal complaints and diagnosed diseases of the musculoskeletal system in nurses in hospitals. Methods: The study is cross-sectional and comprised 1412 nurses female nurses from 19 hospitals in Sofia having an average age of 50.3±9.9 years. An ergonomic analysis of workplaces in hospitals was made. A survey was conducted in relation to the workplace, the workload, the working posture and movements; Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms were used, BMI. Information on musculoskeletal diseases diagnosed by a doctor was collected with Work ability index (WAI). The statistical analyses were made using SPSS. Results: The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints is high, complaints in the lower back being in the lead with 74.2%, followed by the back, neck and shoulders. A musculoskeletal disorder, diagnosed by a doctor, occurs in 35.6% of the individuals. Widespread is the prolonged work in a standing position, awkward working postures, bending, twisting and stretching. The data from the regression analysis show that the work with bending, twisting and stretching, prolonged work in a standing position and BMI are predictors of musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusion: The results indicate lack of good workplace organisation and equipment. The activity involves prolonged work in a standing position, awkward working postures and work with bending and twisting of the body. High is the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and the undergone treatment related to them.  Key words: musculoskeletal disorders, workplace, working postures, nurses, hospitals.

Association of sleep disturbance with shift work, occupational stress, and musculoskeletal pain in Chinese public hospital emergency workers: A multicentre cross-sectional study

Poor sleep, which is reportedly prevalent among healthcare professionals, could lead to various detrimental consequences. This study aimed to investigate the sleep quality of individuals working in emergency departments of public hospitals in China and explore the potential factors influencing sleep disturbance. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 7688 emergency workers from 147 public hospitals in Shandong, China. Log-binomial regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship of sleep disturbance with possible influencing factors, including individual and work characteristics, occupational stress, shift work, and musculoskeletal pain. The participants' mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 9.6 ± 4.8, with 5341 (69.5%, 68.2-70.7%) of them experiencing sleep disturbance. The sleep quality was poorer in doctors (10.2 ± 5.1, 71.0%, 69.0-73.0%) than in nurses (9.2 ± 4.5, 68.6%, 67.0-70.1%), and poorer in those working in secondary (9.9 ± 4.5, 70.2%, 68.0-72.3%) and tertiary (12.2 ± 4.9, 77.5%, 75.3-79.7%) hospitals than in primary hospitals (8.0 ± 4.1, 64.6%, 62.6-66.6%). High prevalence of sleep disturbance was significantly associated with shift work, occupational stress, musculoskeletal pain, fewer breaks in a work shift, and less exercise during leisure time, after adjusting for confounding variables. Sleep disturbance occurred in emergency workers in the following order: two-shift rotation > three-shift rotation > permanent night shift > permanent day shift. Emergency workers in public hospitals in China had poor sleep quality and commonly experienced musculoskeletal pain. Urgent and comprehensive measures are needed to combat these issues.

The Effects of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Professional Quality of Life Among Midwives Working in Delivery Rooms

Background

This study was conducted to determine the effects of musculoskeletal disorders on professional quality of life among midwives working in delivery rooms.

Aim

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of musculoskeletal disorders of midwives working in delivery rooms on the quality of professional life.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted with 88 midwives who worked in delivery rooms and delivered babies. The data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL R-IV).

Statistical Analysis Used

The data were analysed with IBM SPSS V23 using MANOVA and path analysis.

Results

Of the midwives, 80.7% reported that they had pain in the waist in the last year. According to the result of path analysis for NMQ and ProQOL R-IV, only the path coefficient between the 12-month disability and burnout was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.012). The multivariate analysis showed that single midwives had higher job satisfaction than married ones (p = 0.030) and those who chose their profession willingly had higher job satisfaction than others (p = 0.043).

Conclusion

It was observed that most of the midwives suffered from low back pain. Additionally, there may be a relationship between musculoskeletal problems experienced by midwives and their professional burnout levels. Relevant strategies to reduce occupational risks, especially musculoskeletal disorders, and to increase the professional quality of life of midwives should be implemented urgently.

Ergonomic Risk-prone Activities toward Nurses in the Intensive Care and Emergency Room

BACKGROUND: Nurses have the risk of ergonomic hazards in providing nursing care, especially with increasingly dynamic health services such as during Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic like today. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate activities prone to produce ergonomic risks during the implementation of nursing care in intensive care and emergency room (ER) of a hospital in Riau, Indonesia. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted by observing the routine activities conducted by the nurses and using similar task group techniques equipped with Rapid Entire Body Assessment instrument. Those observed activities were obtained from 17 intensive care room nurses and ten ER nurses. There were six activities observed in the intensive care room: Bathing, transferring the patient, wounds dressing, taking blood samples for the AGDA examinations, as well as inserting the intravenous needle and electrocardiograms. Meanwhile, there were two activities observed in the ER: Transferring the patient and inserting the intravenous needle. RESULTS: The highest ergonomic risks activity in the intensive care room was bathing the patient with a total score of 13. At the ER, the highest risk score was transferring the patient with a total score of 12. Both activities were at level 4, indicating a high-risk condition. Thus, examinations and changes should be immediately initiated. CONCLUSION: The results are significant to be paid attention by the related parties at the hospital to facilitate some improvements immediately. In addition, the ergonomic approaches that can be suggested to the nurses are regular stretching, physical exercises, and applying ergonomic principles while working.

Musculoskeletal symptoms and their associated risk factors among Saudi office workers: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders are common worldwide. Several factors are suggested in their aetiology, one of which is ergonomics alongside other individual factors. This study aims at investigating the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among administrative office workers at a large university in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited office workers at a Saudi university. A questionnaire was used that involved three sections, the first section consisted of sociodemographic questions, the second included the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) checklist to assess ergonomic factors possibly involved, and the third included the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to measure the outcome. Bi-variate analyses were performed by Chi-Squared tests and T-tests where appropriate, and a multivariable logistic regression was done to yield odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in any region during the past 12 months preceding the study was 84.5%, and only 30% have sought medical advice. The most common area of complaint was the lower back (54.5%). After adjustment, age and years of experience were positively associated with musculoskeletal symptoms (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.09 and OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.15). Normal weight was associated with a significant reduction in risk (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.05-0.18). ROSA score was an independent risk factor (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.05-2.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Musculoskeletal symptoms were highly prevalent in the current sample. Identified predictors may support the need for interventions to reduce risk.

Association between muscle strength, upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers at a tertiary hospital

Background

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders negatively affect ability to perform activities of daily living, self-care and work. Therefore, outcome measurements that address muscle strength, fatigue resistance, functionality and work physical capacity must be defined to assess and plan specific actions to minimize them.

Objective

To investigate the association of upper extremity muscle strength with upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers from a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Shoulder and elbow isokinetic strength were assessed by Biodex System 4™, isometric hand grip by JAMAR™, upper extremity fatigue resistance by Functional Impairment Test Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA), ability to work by the Work Ability Index and upper extremity dysfunction by the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuickDASH-Br questionnaire. The Nordic questionnaire and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used for pain description. The associations were analysed by Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho) (p < 0.05).

Results

Twenty-seven participants: 59.2% women; mean age 46 years old; 70.3% obese/overweight; 62.9% active with predominantly dynamic muscle contraction work. Besides predominance of good to moderate work ability (81.4%) and comorbidities (37%), all participants had symptoms of the upper extremities for at least 12 months, with a predominance of low-intensity in the shoulder (55.5%). In addition, 88.8% reported pain in other segments. Muscle strength of abduction (rho = 0.49), adduction (rho = 0.40), internal rotation (rho = 0.44) and hand grip (rho = 0.68) presented moderate correlation with FIT-HaNSA. Hand grip (rho = − 0.52) showed moderate correlation with upper extremity dysfunction.

Conclusions

The results of this preliminary study suggested the association of shoulder strength with fatigue resistance. Also, hand grip strength was associated with upper extremity dysfunction and fatigue resistance. No association was found with the Work Ability Index in this sample. So, it is suggested that hand grip and shoulder strength could be outcome measurements used for future interventions focused on upper extremity preventive exercises to improve strength and fatigue resistance of workers at risk for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Other individual, psychosocial and organizational risk factors must also be considered as influences on upper extremity function.

The Prevalence of and Risk Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders in Thai Oil Palm Harvesting Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common in various occupations. However, there is still limited research about the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, MSDs among oil palm harvesting workers in Thailand. To investigate the prevalence of MSDs and risk factors associated with MSDs in Thai oil palm harvesting workers, face-to-face interviews were conducted with Thai oil palm harvesting workers in Krabi Province, Thailand, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four sections which included information on demographic characteristics, work-related characteristics, job stress, and MSDs. A total of 334 oil palm harvesting workers participated in the current study. The prevalence of MSDs during the past 12 months was 88.0%. Lower back MSDs had the highest (59.0%) 12-month prevalence among oil palm harvesting workers, followed by shoulder (37.1%) and neck (27.2%). Factors associated with lower back MSDs included type of task, heavy lifting, and job stress. Moreover, type of task, repetitive movement, and job stress were associated with shoulder and neck MSDs. The cutters had a higher risk of having shoulder and neck MSDs, primarily due to the fact that their work involved cutting the fresh fruit bunches from high up in the trees. The collectors had more back issues due to the heavy lifting. These findings showed the need to raise awareness, and to design guidelines and interventions to prevent MSDs in oil palm harvesting workers.

Ergonomic Stressors Among Pregnant Healthcare Workers: Impact on pregnancy outcomes and recommended safety practices

Workplace environment can have a considerable impact on the physical, psychological and maternal health of pregnant healthcare workers. This article aimed to summarise the impact of work-related ergonomic stressors on pregnancy outcomes for healthcare workers, along with potential interventions to resolve these stressors. A narrative review analysis using the Pearl Growing Strategy was conducted between February 2019 and June 2020 to identify English-language articles published between 2000 and 2020. A total of 89 studies were identified from the SCOPUS (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands), MEDLINE® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) databases and Google Scholar (Google LLC, Menlo Park, California, USA). The results indicated that poor work-related ergonomics had detrimental effects on pregnancy outcomes, resulting in spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, low birth weight babies and infertility. Policymakers and employers should conduct ergonomic assessments and implement appropriate practices to ensure the safety of pregnant healthcare workers.

Life satisfaction, life quality, and leisure satisfaction in health professionals

PURPOSE

This study was aimed to determine the relationships between life satisfaction, life quality, and leisure satisfaction in health professionals.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was conducted with 498 health professionals working in a city of the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey. Data were collected using Socio-Demographic Form, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Short Form of World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Leisure Satisfaction Scale.

FINDINGS

There was a positive significant relationship between life satisfaction, life quality, and leisure satisfaction. As the level of leisure satisfaction of health professionals increases, the life satisfaction, and life quality also increase.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Rise in the level of leisure satisfaction is important to increase life satisfaction and improve life quality of health professionals. Therefore, leisure patterns and behaviors that increase leisure satisfaction should be integrated into daily lives of these professionals.

Exposure to Occupational Hazards among Health Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Health care workers are exposed to numerous workplace hazards. The implementation of safety measures in high-income countries has largely mitigated these risks. However, in many low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), resources to institute safety measures are lacking, increasing the risk of occupational exposures to these hazards. The aim of this scoping review is to map and synthesize the available research on occupational hazards among health care workers in LMICs, identify research gaps and inform policy. Searches for relevant articles were conducted in five electronic databases using a broad range of search terms. The inclusion criteria were: quantitative observational or experimental studies which examined exposure to one or more occupational hazards among health care workers in a LMCI; and the article was published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. A total of 99 studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted from these studies. Large proportions of health care workers in LMICs were exposed to biological hazards (bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis), psychosocial hazards (workplace violence, burnout, job dissatisfaction), ergonomic hazards (musculoskeletal complaints), and chemical hazards (exposure to latex and antineoplastic drugs). The implementation of risk reduction strategies was suboptimal. The majority of the literature was on biological hazards (48%), and research on other hazards was limited in comparison. Occupational safety needs to become a priority public health issue to protect health care workers in LMICs. More research is needed to understand the magnitude of the problem in these countries.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among perioperative nurses: a systematic review and META-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in perioperative nurses and to explore their association with personal characteristics.

METHODS

Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Institute Database were systematically searched. A meta-analysis calculating event rates, and relative 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) was performed for each musculoskeletal body region. The contribution of perioperative nurses' sex, age, and BMI was assessed through a meta-regression.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies, considering 3590 perioperative nurses, were included in the systematic review. The highest prevalence of WRMSDs was found for the lower-back (62%; 95% CI 0.54-0.70), followed by knee (47%; 95% CI 0.36-0.59), shoulder (44%; 95% CI 0.37-0.51), waist (42%; 95% CI 0.31-0.53), neck (39%; 95% CI 0.29-0.51), ankle-feet (35%; 95% CI 0.22-0.51), upper-back (34%; 95% CI 0.25-0.44), hand-wrist (29%; 95% CI 0.20-0.40), and elbow (18%; 95% CI 0.12-0.26). Meta-regression showed that sex, age, and BMI were not significant predictors of low-back disorders (p = 0.69; R² = 0).

CONCLUSIONS

WRMSDs represent a high prevalence issue among perioperative nurses. Perioperative nurses, in general, are steadily exposed to both physical and temporal risk factors. Further studies should be addressed to identify specific interventions aimed at reducing the burden of WRMSDs including ergonomic education and physical rehabilitation. Our data could be used in future studies as a reference to assess the risk of WRMSDs in other health-care professionals' population.

Road traffic delays in commuting workplace and musculoskeletal health among sedentary workers: A cross-sectional study in Dhaka city

OBJECTIVES

Despite previous research aimed at identifying factors linked to musculoskeletal health issues, there was no evidence about the relationship between road traffic delays (RTDs) and musculoskeletal health in sedentary employees. As a result, the aim of our research was to understand such a correlation among bank employees in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with bank employees who worked in sedentary settings. The Eriksen subjective health complaints scale was used to measure the eight items of musculoskeletal health complaints (MHCs), and RTDs were measured using principal component analysis using variables commute time, distance, and traffic congestion experience to work. The association between RTDs and MHCs was identified using a multilevel model after adjusting potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 628 employees (mean[SD] age, 36.1[7.0] years; 254[40.5%] women) participated in the study. Among the employees, the one-month prevalence of MHCs was 57.2%. The highest prevalence of MHCs was low-back pain (36.6%), followed by neck pain (22.9%) and upper-back pain (21.2%). Also, 136(21.7%) employees reported long-RTDs in commuting workplace and 81% of them had MHCs. The multilevel analysis identified that long-RTDs had a significant relationship with MHCs (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 10.20, 95%CI = 5.41-16.91). Private transportation commuters reported 70% reduced odds of MHCs (AOR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.15-0.59) and walking or bicycling commuters had 84% fewer MHCs (AOR = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.10-0.28) compared to public bus commuters.

CONCLUSIONS

Sedentary employees with long-RTDs reported increased MHCs, emphasizing the importance of including musculoskeletal exercise in office facilities. Findings of this study also highlight the need for a sound public transportation system in Dhaka city.

Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders in Italian workers: is there an underestimation of the related occupational risk factors?

Background

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent an important socio-economic burden. The current risk assessment and management involved in the ethiopathogenesis of WMSDs is based on observational tools and checklists, which have some limitations in terms of accuracy and reliability. The aim of this study was to assess WMSD prevalence and identify possible correlations with several socio-demographic and work-related variables in a large cohort representative of Italian workers in order to improve our understanding of the WMSD phenomenon.

Methods

This study includes data from INSuLa, a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of health and safety at work, developed by the Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority. A total of 8000 Italian workers were included. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of independent variables, such as workers’ perceptions of exposure to biomechanical/ergonomic and video display unit (VDU) risks (Risk Perceived) and the actual risk exposure (Risk Detected) on Back, Lower and Upper limb pain. Socio-demographic, occupational and other health-related variables were included to investigate possible association with musculoskeletal disorders.

Results

Workers perceiving a significant exposure to biomechanical/ergonomic and VDU risks but not included in a health surveillance program for them (Risk Perceived/No Risk Detected) have had significantly higher odds of reporting musculoskeletal disorders. Regarding the biomechanical/ergonomic risk these workers are in the 19–24 age range (39.9%), transportation, warehousing/information and communication sectors (38.9%) and are employed in companies with more than 250 workers (35.8%). Regarding VDU risk, workers are in the 45–54 age range (24.5%), professional, financial and business services (38.0%) and come from companies with more than 250 employees (25.6%).

Conclusions

Within the occupational safety and health management systems an appropriate assessment of occupational risk factors correlated to musculoskeletal disorders (mainly biomechanical/ergonomic and VDU) and the correct definition of their exposure levels is essential to adequately prevent the onset of WMSDs. In this regard, our findings provide useful information to design novel approaches, aimed at improving our understanding of emerging risks, identifying gaps in current risk assessment strategies and enhancing workplace interventions are mandatory to improve the occupational risk assessment and management process and therefore implement the subsequent health surveillance systems.

Prevalence of neck/shoulder pain among public hospital workers in China and its associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Studies have reported that neck and/or shoulder pain (NSP) was prevalent and a non-ignorable occupational health problem in healthcare providers. Considering data deficiency on NSP, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and sick leave absence of NSP among public hospital workers in Shandong, China and to explore the associated factors for chronic NSP. A self-administered questionnaire including the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was filled in by 30,520 hospital workers in 37 hospitals selected randomly from among all public hospitals of Shandong, China. The 12-month prevalence of NSP lasting for at least 3 months and sick leave absence due to NSP among 29,547 public hospital workers was 15.6% and 11.4%, respectively, most frequently reported in tertiary hospital workers (27.4% and 18.9%) and clinicians (19.1% and 15.2%). Log-binomial regression analysis revealed that chronic NSP was significantly associated with hospital level, employment position, contract/temporary employment status (vs. permanent), workload (long work hours per week), ergonomic factors (bending the neck forward for long periods of time, twisting the neck for long periods of time) and computer-related factors (prolonged computer-using time daily, the keyboard too close to the edge of the desk).

Work- and stress-related musculoskeletal and sleep disorders among health professionals: a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland

Background

Musculoskeletal and sleep disorders have been reported to be very common among health care and hospital workers and particularly nurses. They are assumed or found to be a result of psychological stress and/or physical strain or pain. However, no other study so far – at least in a hospital setting and for Switzerland – has considered and investigated musculoskeletal as well as sleep disorders in consequence of or rather in association with both physical workload and psychological stress.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey data of 1232 health professionals were used and analysed. Data were collected in 2015/16 among the health care workforces of three public hospitals and two rehabilitation clinics in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Musculoskeletal and sleep disorders were assessed by three items taken from the Swiss Health Survey, a 2-item measure of accumulated low back, back, neck and shoulder pain and a single-item measure of problems in getting to sleep or sleeping through. Stratified and adjusted bivariate logistic and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to calculate measures of association (adjusted odds ratios, z-standardized beta coefficients), to control for potential confounders, and to compare different health professions (nurses, physicians, therapists, other).

Results

Almost every fourth of the studied health professionals reported severe or even very severe musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and nearly every seventh severe sleep disorders (SDs). These prevalence rates were significantly or at least slightly higher among nurses than among physicians and other health care workers. General stress, work stress, physical effort at work, and particularly a painful or tiring posture at work were found to be clear and strong risk factors for MSDs, whereas only general and work-related stress were found to be significantly associated with SDs. There was no or only weak association between MSDs and SDs.

Conclusions

This study found MSDs to be largely a result of physical workload or rather poor posture at work and only secondarily a consequence of (general) stress, whereas SDs were revealed to be primarily a consequence of stress on and particularly off the job. Preventive strategies therefore have to differentiate and combine measures for the reduction of both psychological stress and physical strain.

Sleep quality of nurses in the emergency department of public hospitals in China and its influencing factors: a cross-sectional study

Background

Studies have shown that poor sleep could result in many unpleasant consequences and is prevalent in nurses. Considering the fact of high stress, overwhelming workload and many night shifts in the emergency department in China, this study aimed to evaluate the current status of emergency nurses’ sleep quality in public hospitals in Shandong, China and explored its influencing factors.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Job Content Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was conducted among 4856 emergency nurses in five randomly selected city emergency command systems in Shandong, China. The association of potential influencing factors, including occupational, psychosocial and individual factors, with poor sleep (PSQI> 5) was quantified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The average PSQI score of 4730 emergency nurses in public hospitals was 8.2 ± 3.9, including 3114 (65.8%) subjects with PSQI > 5 and 2905 (61.4%) > 8; these figures were found highest for 337 emergency nurses in 14 tertiary hospitals with 11.8 ± 4.3, 257 (76.3%) and 232 (68.8%), followed by 1044 emergency nurses in 43 secondary hospitals with 9.5 ± 3.9, 725 (69.4%) and 675 (64.7%) and 3349 emergency nurses in 167 primary hospitals with 7.4 ± 3.5, 2132 (63.7%) and 1998 (59.7%). The following factors were associated with poor sleep: hospital level (tertiary vs. primary, secondary vs. primary), female sex, less of exercise, long work hours per week, many patients in the charge of at night, high monthly night shift frequency (4–6 vs. never, ≥7 vs. never) and high occupational stress.

Conclusions

The sleep quality of emergency nurses in public hospitals in China was poor, especially in tertiary hospitals. Many factors as listed above, especially occupational stress, night shift taking and workload at night, should be considered when improving emergency nurses’ sleep quality.