Presenteeism and musculoskeletal symptoms among nursing professionals

Occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders, burnout, and psychological suffering in Brazilian nursing workers: A cross-sectional study

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) pose a pervasive concern among nursing professionals due to the high physical workload. Simultaneously, the complex relationship between MSDs and mental health outcomes in this population remains an area of significant interest and importance.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of MSDs and their relationships with burnout and psychological suffering within the nursing workforce.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 involving 291 nursing professionals in Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were employed to gather information on MSDs, mental health outcomes, and pertinent work-related factors. Robust statistical analyses were conducted to ascertain the prevalence of MSDs, establish associations between MSDs and mental health outcomes, and delineate the influence of work-related factors on these associations. Statistical analysis was performed using the R software.

Results

The study revealed a significant prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) among nursing workers, focusing on regions that include the lower back, upper back, neck, and shoulders. Individuals with MSIs in the lower back showed a marked increase in emotional exhaustion (p = 0.02), as did those with MSIs in the upper back (p <0.01) and depersonalization (p = 0.07). On the other hand, nursing professionals who reported MSIs in the neck and shoulders had considerably higher scores in emotional exhaustion (p <0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively) and depersonalization (p = 0.05 and p = 0.05, respectively). However, no significant correlations emerged between MSIs and depression or work-related factors.

Conclusions

This study highlights the urgency of implementing proactive measures to prevent and manage MSDs within the nursing profession. Moreover, it emphasizes the critical need to enhance working conditions and provide robust support mechanisms to safeguard the mental health of nursing professionals.Open AccessOpen Access.

Latent profile analysis and influence factors study of presenteeism among ICU nurses in China

Background

Presenteeism is a significant global public health problem, and nurses are a high-prevalence group of presenteeism, affecting not only nurses' physical and mental health, work efficiency, and quality of work but even poses a serious threat to patient safety.

Objective

The categorization of presenteeism among ICU nurses is unclear. Our research aims to explore the subtypes of presenteeism among ICU nurses based on latent profile analysis, analyze the influencing factors of different subtypes, and provide a reference basis for developing targeted interventions to reduce the presenteeism rate.

Methods

From January to February 2023, 509 ICU nurses in Sichuan Province, China, were selected as respondents and surveyed using the general information questionnaire, the presenteeism scale, and the perceived social support scale. Potential categories of presenteeism among ICU nurses were explored using potential profile analysis, and factors influencing the potential types of presenteeism among ICU nurses were investigated using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The best model was suggested to consist of three profiles: low presenteeism-normal coping group (18.3%), moderate presenteeism group (47.9%), and high presenteeism-work limitation group (33.8%). Multiple logistic regression results showed that secondary hospitals (OR = 0.116, p = 0.015), good physical health (OR = 0.084, p = 0.023), general physical health (OR = 0.016, p = 0.037), ICU human resource allocation = 1:2.5 to 3 (OR = 0.315, p = 0.007), and higher social support scores (OR = 0.975, p = 0.047) were more likely to be grouped into low presenteeism-normal coping group; married with no children (OR = 24.554, p = 0.005) were more likely to be grouped into moderate presenteeism group; and having experienced workplace violence in the past year (OR = 1.182, p = 0.049) were more likely to be grouped into high presenteeism-work limitation group.

Conclusion

There is group heterogeneity in the presenteeism of ICU nurses, and nursing managers should develop targeted interventions to reduce the presenteeism rate of ICU nurses according to the characteristics and influencing factors of each type of presenteeism of ICU nurses.

Prevalence of and Work-Related Factors Associated with Sickness Presenteeism among Nursing Care Providers in Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Bangalore City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Sickness presenteeism is a phenomenon where "workers go to work when ill." The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and work-related factors associated with presenteeism among nursing care providers in selected tertiary hospitals in Bangalore city.

Methodology

Participants were selected using stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling. A questionnaire was designed to capture socio-demographic information, sickness-related behavior, performance-based self-esteem (PBSE), and selected work-related characteristics.

Results

A total of 357 participants were enrolled in the study, 274 were staff nurses (S/N) and 83 were nursing assistants (N/A). About 75% of the participants reported presenteeism at least once in the last year, two-fifths did so in the last 4 weeks and nearly 15% were sick on the day of the interview. The mean Stanford Sickness Presenteeism Scale-6 score was 18.49 ± 3.84. The most frequent reason for presenteeism was "perceived mildness of the disease." In bivariate analysis, those who were younger, male, had children, higher qualifications, chronic ailment/s, financial commitments, lesser work experience, and higher PBSE had higher presenteeism scores. When introduced into a linear regression model, those S/N who had children [Standardized coefficient = 0.23 (0.40-1.97)], higher PBSE scores [Standardized coefficient = 0.385 (0.15-2.55)], and reported sickness absenteeism in the preceding 4 weeks [Standardized coefficient = 0.136 (0.12-1.01)] were significantly associated with higher presenteeism scores. Those N/A who had lesser work experience had higher presenteeism scores [Standardized coefficient = -0.33 (-0.02--0.004)].

Conclusion

Presenteeism is a common phenomenon among nursing care providers. It is imperative that both employers and employees be educated about its ill effects on the individual, fellow staff, and patients, followed by the adoption of preventive measures.

Productivity Loss and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Brazilian Presenteeism: A Cross-sectional Study

Background:

The work has been brought to nursing professionals, denoting an increase in illness and consequent decrease in productivity.

Objective:

This study aims to verify the relationship between productivity and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in presenteeism.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted with 305 Nursing workers from an emergency hospital in the Brazilian Midwest region. For data collection, four self-applied instruments were used, namely: the Sociodemographic Work and Health Conditions Questionnaire (QSCTS), the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6), the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), and the Brazilian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptom Questionnaire (QNSO). The “presenteeism” and “presenteeism degree” dependent variables were related to the independent variables using the logistic regression model.

Results:

Presenteeism was identified in 134 (43.8%) workers. Overall productivity loss was 8.8%. Regarding the relationship between presenteeism and the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms, workers with problems in the upper back, knees, and neck in the last year were 6.5, 2.7, and 2.2 more likely to be presenteeism, respectively.

Conclusion:

The study confirmed the relationship between greater productivity losses and the incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms with presenteeism events in the Nursing team.

Do sleep and psychological factors influence musculoskeletal pain among nurses?

BACKGROUND

The physical factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in nursing personnel have been largely investigated, although the role of sleep and psychological factors resulting in musculoskeletal pain has not been addressed thoroughly.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and investigate how sleep and psychological factors influence musculoskeletal pain in a nursing group.

METHODS

Nordic standard questionnaires were distributed to 230 female nurses. Chi-square tests were performed to assess the associations between sleep problems, psychological problems, and musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Binary logistic regression analysis was also conducted to identify the primary factors influencing the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain.

RESULTS

The highest prevalence of pain was observed in the lower back, neck, and shoulders, whereas the lowest prevalence of pain was observed in the ankles, feet, elbows, and hips/buttocks. Chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression showed that sleep duration, sleep onset time, and sleep quality all significantly contributed to the development of neck and upper back pain. With regard to the psychological factors, only occupational pride and stress had a significant effect on pain; in contrast, family support did not show any significant influence.

CONCLUSION

Compared with other body regions, musculoskeletal pain in the lower back, neck, and shoulders requires more attention and preventive interventions. Special efforts should be made to shift the workday system of the nursing group because of the strong correlation between sleep problems and pain. Incentives other than penalty mechanisms should be considered seriously in nursing to boost occupational pride and relieve job stress.

Presenteeism and associated factors among railway train drivers

Background: Presenteeism is an emerging work-related health problem among train drivers. It is more serious than absenteeism, as it accounts for higher productivity losses over the long term and may increase the risk of occupational accidents. Train drivers have high rates of mental and physical health conditions that may put them at high risk of presenteeism.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 train drivers working in Mansoura railway station and 100 administrative employees working in the Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura university as a comparison group to estimate the prevalence of presenteeism and its associated factors among train drivers working in Mansoura railway station, Egypt. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, occupational and medical data. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to measure non-specific psychological distress. The Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) was used to assess productivity loss related to sickness presenteeism.

Results: The prevalence of presenteeism was significantly higher among train drivers (76%) compared to the comparison group (31%). All participants (100%) with psychological distress reported presenteeism. Being a train driver (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.4) and having hypertension (AOR=4.03) are independent predictors for presenteeism.

Conclusions: The prevalence of presenteeism and its associated risk factors were significantly higher among train drivers than the comparison group. There is an urgent need for the railway industry to understand the factors that may contribute to presenteeism.

The Role of Job Resources in the Relationship between Job Demands and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Hospital Nurses in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

(1) Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the moderating effect of job resources (JR) in the relationship between job demands (JD) and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among hospital nurses in the Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. (2) Methods: Data were collected via a self-reporting questionnaire administrated to 225 nurses from two hospitals in the Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam from August to September 2020. The questionnaire included information on musculoskeletal symptoms, JD and JR, and the demographics and job characteristics of participants. The simple moderation analysis was used for data analysis. (3) Results: The findings indicated that 87.6% of nurses had experienced WRMSDs in at least one body region during the previous 12 months, with lower back (65.3%), neck (61.8%), and shoulders (61.8%) being the three most common sites. Physical workloads (PW) and psychological demands (PDs) were significantly correlated with WRMSDs severity (p < 0.05). This study further underlined the moderating role of coworker support (CS) on the relationship between PW and WRMSD severity. WRMSDs severity significantly increased when PW was high alongside a low level of CS. (4) Conclusions: The current study indicated that nurses should be provided with appropriate CS to minimize WRMSDs severity. Furthermore, an intervention program for managing WRMSDs in nurses may involve minimizing physical risk factors and PDs.

Latent Classes of Circadian Type and Presenteeism and Work-Related Flow Differences Among Clinical Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To classify the characteristics of circadian type among clinical nurses and examine their relationships with presenteeism and work-related flow.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, 568 nurses were recruited through convenience sampling in January 2021 from three hospitals in Shandong Province, China. The data were collected using self-report measures, including the 11-item Circadian Type Inventory, Stanford Presenteeism Scale-6, and Work-Related Flow Inventory. Latent class analysis was performed to identify any clustering of circadian types. One-way analysis was performed to compare the differences between presenteeism and work-related flow in different circadian types.

RESULTS

Four latent classes were identified, including high response class (14.4%), high flexible class (20.1%), high languid class (51.1%), and low response class (14.4%). Regarding presenteeism, the high languid class had higher scores than others. Regarding work-related flow, the scores of high flexible class were higher than those of high languid class, while the differences in all three dimensions were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Although the shift work mode is not expected to change, nursing managers could use circadian type as a predictive index to select and employ individuals for shift work to enhance work performance and provide sufficient support to staff who are intolerant to shift work.

Impacts of heavy smoking and alcohol consumption on workplace presenteeism: A cross-sectional study

Presenteeism refers to the practice of going to work despite poor health, resulting in subpar performance. This study aimed to explore the impacts of smoking and alcohol consumption on workplace presenteeism based on demographic, health-related, and employment variables.The study adopted a cross sectional design with 60,051 wage workers from the database of the second and third Korean Working Conditions Surveys in 2010 and 2011, respectively. A total of 41,404 workers aged 19 years and older, who had worked for at least 1 hour in the previous week, answered the survey questions. Chi-square test as well as univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS, version 18.0, to determine the impacts of smoking and alcohol consumption on workplace presenteeism.Of the 41,404 Korean workers, 8512 (20.6%) had experienced presenteeism in the past 12 months. There were significant differences among gender, age, educational status, income, health problems, absenteeism, shift work, night shift, weekly working hours, exposure to secondhand smoke at work, and satisfaction with the workplace environment. Based on the results of multiple regression analysis, heavy smoking (adjusted odds ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence intervals [1.11, 1.72]) and high-risk drinking (adjusted odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence intervals [1.08, 1.31]) were significantly related to presenteeism among workers.The results of our study confirmed that smoking and alcohol drinking were related to presenteeism even after controlling other variables (demographic, health-related, and employment variables) that affect presenteeism. Smoking and alcohol drinking are associated with and potentially influence presenteeism; in particular, heavy smoking and high-risk drinking contributed to presenteeism. Companies that encourage employees to receive treatments for reduction of smoking or alcohol consumption may benefit from greater productivity. Hence, we should consider the impact of smoking and alcohol consumption in the workplace and build appropriate strategies and programs to help reduce these behaviors.

The effectiveness of Chair Massage on Stress and Pain in Oncology

Background

There is a high prevalence of moderate-to-high levels of chronic stress among nurses, as well as an occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of chair massage to reduce chronic stress and musculoskeletal pain in the Oncology Nursing team.

Setting

Two teaching cancer hospitals, one public and the other private, in São Paulo city, Brazil.

Participants

A total of 60 women from the Oncology Nursing team.

Research Design

A randomized controlled trial divided into two groups: chair massage and control without intervention.

Intervention

The massage group received two chair massage sessions lasting 15 minutes, twice a week, for three weeks.

Main Outcome Measure

Reduction of stress and pain measured by the List of Signs and Symptoms (LSS) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), respectively.

Results

The average age was 32 (± 5.3) years. There was a reduction of stress measured by the LSS with a statistical difference in the group-time interaction (p < .001), with a Cohen’s d value of 1.21 between groups. The BPI analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the group-time interaction for general activity (p < .008), mood (p < .03), work (p < .000), and sleep (p = .03), with reduced pain interference in these components.

Conclusion

Chair massage reduced stress and pain interference in the team’s daily life activities, bringing a positive impact in the context of work stress and pain in Oncology nursing professionals.

Musculoskeletal symptoms and presentism among professionals of public health management of Belem-PA, Brazil

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect the performance of workers and can increase presenteeism, a condition in which the employee comes to the workplace but does not produce satisfactory results because he is ill. Objective: To identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and its association with presenteeism among public health management professionals of Belem-PA, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 88 professionals from the Municipal Health Department of Belem. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used to characterize the sample; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to identify the prevalence of pain, numbness, and tingling symptoms in the body; and the Stanford Presenteeism Scale to characterize presenteeism. Associations between variables were analyzed using a 5% significance level. Results: Musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper and lower back were the most prevalent. Presenteeism was significantly associated with daily workload, physical activity, and the presence of diagnosed musculoskeletal diseases or injuries. In the past 12 months, musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, upper and lower back, wrists/hands, and hips/thighs have been associated with presenteeism. In the past 7 days, presenteeism has been associated with symptoms in the upper back and lower back. Conclusion: The most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders in health management professionals are associated with presenteeism.

Factors associated with presenteeism due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Background

Presenteeism associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders is an important aspect of occupational health that can reveal important information regarding productivity and quality of life at work.

Objective

To quantify and evaluate the factors associated to presenteeism due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods

This is a crosssectional study that used data from the Brazilian National Survey of Health of 2013, involving 847 workers diagnosed with workrelated musculoskeletal disorders.

Results

A multivariate analysis observed an association between presenteeism due to workrelated musculoskeletal disorders and income of a minimum wage or less (prevalence ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.60), intense physical activity at work (prevalence ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.37), and chronic diseases (prevalence ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.38).

Conclusions

Our observations indicated a high incidence of presenteeism, which was associated to sociodemographic and occupational aspects, as well as to the workers’ lifestyle and health conditions.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain among Italian nurses: An observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain have negative impact amongst Italian nurses who work in hospital. Nursing staff are known to be at risk of developing back disorders, where low back pain has a prevalence from 16% to 60% in the world. This study aims to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain among nurses who working in a Roman hospital.

METHODS

Cross sectional study was carried out in an Italian hospital and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire-IRSST was administered to 256 registered nurses. Logistic regression analyses were performed to understand risk factors associated with pain.

RESULTS

Nurses reported different locations of pain related to musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of low back pain was 90.2% during life, 80% during the last year and 44.5% during the last week. Female sex increases the risk of being affected by low back pain (OR = 2.07, 95% CI= 1.00-4.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain are reported by the majority of nurses interviewed, and a higher prevalence is observed in women. Pain does not depend on the amount of years of work, nor on age or body mass index. In order to assess the prevalence of low back pain carefully, it is recommended to study a greater number of Italian nurses in different hospitals.

Presenteeism in nurses: comparative study of Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian nurses

AIM

To compare presenteeism levels among three samples of nurses and to identify the relationship between presenteeism and sociodemographic and professional characteristics.

BACKGROUND

Presenteeism (going to work ill) is a phenomenon studied from different perspectives, and it has become especially important during the current COVID-19 outbreak; its connection to high healthcare costs, patient safety breaches and negative nurse well-being has been proved.

INTRODUCTION

The nursing profession is particularly associated with caring for the culture of teamwork, loyalty to colleagues and professional identity. This condition enhances the 'super nurse phenomenon', even though nurses do not feel physically and psychologically able to work.

METHODS

A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted in three different country contexts: Oviedo (Spain), Porto (Portugal) and São Paulo (Brazil). Nurses performing functions in hospitals and primary health care were enrolled. Informed consent and data collection questionnaires were hand delivered. The Stanford Presenteeism Scale-6 was applied.

RESULTS

A total of 659 nurses participated. Portuguese nurses showed greater prevalence of presenteeism, followed by Brazilian and Spanish nurses. Younger nurses with less professional experience presented lower levels of presenteeism but greater psychological commitment. Male participants showed lower capacity to complete work when ill than female participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and length of professional experience proved to be significant predictors of total presenteeism, although only professional experience revealed statistical significance in the adjusted model.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

The knowledge of this phenomenon among nurses highlights the need for the development of strategies in the curriculum of nursing students and organizations. Resilience and ergonomic training should be applied in the training programmes of the students and reinforced by the health centre managers. It is essential that healthcare systems design worksite wellness programmes that pursue greater physical and mental well-being for healthcare professionals.

Factors related to the risk of illness of nursing staff at work in a psychiatric institution

Objective:

identify the associations between the sociodemographic, and work variables, health conditions and lifestyles, and the risks of illness of nursing workers in a psychiatric hospital.

Method:

analytical cross-sectional study. The sample of 74 workers answered a questionnaire for sociodemographic, work, health conditions and lifestyles survey characterization. The Work Context Assessment Scale and the Human Cost at Work Scale were used to evaluate the perception of the risks of illness in the interviewee’s opinion. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, with significance of 5%.

Results:

the factors associated with the risk of illness were: insomnia complaints, night work and workday.

Conclusion:

the associations between the work variables, health conditions and life habits can harm the health of the nursing staff of a psychiatric hospital.

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale to Brazilian Portuguese

OBJECTIVE

to translate, adapt and test the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Nurse-Work Instability Scale.

METHOD

this was a methodological study following the translation steps: synthesis, back-translation, specialist´s committee, semantics analysis, pretest, and psychometric tests. The committee was composed of 5 specialists. For the semantics analysis, 18 nursing workers evaluated the instrument and 30 pretested it. For the psychometric tests, the sample size was 214 nursing workers. The internal construct validity was analyzed by the Rasch model. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency, and concurrent validity with Pearson's correlation between the Nurse-Work Instability Scale, and the Work Ability Index, Job Stress Scale.

RESULTS

a Nurse-Work Instability Scale in Brazilian Portuguese with 20 items showed an adequate reliability (0.831), stability (p <0.0001), and an expected correlation with Work Ability Index (r = -0.526; P<0.0001) and Job Stress Scale (r = 0.352; p <0.0001).

CONCLUSION

the instrument is appropriated to detect work instability in Brazilian nursing workers with musculoskeletal disorders. Its application is fundamental to avoid long-term withdrawal from work by early identification of the work instability. Furthermore, the scale can assist the development of actions and strategies to prevent the abandonment of the profession of nursing workers affected by musculoskeletal disorders.

Association of low back pain with presenteeism in hospital nursing staff

OBJECTIVES

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is known to cause various disorders compared with acute LBP. However, there was no study evaluating presenteeism due to LBP divided into subcategories by the duration of LBP. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between acute or chronic LBP and presenteeism in hospital nursing staff.

METHODS

Overall, 1100 nurses filled in a questionnaire on basic attributes, LBP symptoms, depression symptoms, and work productivity. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the period of LBP and the compared work productivity. Work Limitation Questionnaire Japanese version (WLQ-J) was used for the assessment of work productivity. The effects of acute and chronic LBP on presenteeism were evaluated through multiple regression analysis models.

RESULTS

In total, 765 subjects, without missing values, were included. The overall prevalence of LBP was 64.6% (acute LBP 47.5%, chronic LBP 17.1%). On multiple regression analysis, acute pain and presenteeism were not associated. Conversely, chronic LBP was associated with time management (adjusted β = -2.3, 95% CI: -4.5 to -1.1), mental-interpersonal relationship (adjusted β = -2.8, 95% CI: -5.1 to -0.6), and output (adjusted β = -2.7, 95% CI: -5.4 to 0.0) after adjustment for sex and career years. When depression was included in the adjustment factors, chronic LBP and WLQ subscales were not associated.

CONCLUSIONS

It became obvious that Chronic LBP in nurses was significantly related to time management, mental-interpersonal relationship, and output. The importance of preventing a decline in work productivity by taking precautions to prevent chronic LBP and depression was suggested.