Correlation of the musculoskeletal problems of the nursing staff and the intention to leave work, in a Greek hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Musculoskeletal problems are very common in the nursing profession and multiple risk factors have been investigated, in recent years, in an effort to address them.

Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate the musculoskeletal problems experienced by the nursing staff of a public hospital and to investigate their relationship with the expression of intention to leave work.

Material and Method: A specially customized, anonymous questionnaire was used, which included the Greek version of the general Nordic for the Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire (NMQ), to measure employees’ musculoskeletal problems. Hundred and four questionnaires were completed by the nursing staff of a public hospital. Data analysis was performed with the statistical package IBM SPSS 21.0

Results: The largest percentage of participants reported musculoskeletal problems in various body parts. The study found that the most significant discomforts reported by nurses in the last 12 months were in the cervical area (61.5%), in the shoulder area/shoulders (61,8%) and  in the lower back (lumbar/sacrum area) (57,7%). The multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the intention to leave work due to a musculoskeletal problem in the cervical area (p=0.035).

Conclusions: Nurses’ musculoskeletal problems seem to be quite common and able to lead a percentage of employees to the intention to leave the nursing profession. It is important to develop targeted programs to prevent musculoskeletal problems in the nursing profession.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal problems, intention to leave work, nursing staff, musculoskeletal disorders