Work Ability and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Patient Handling

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2013

Authors

Rui Nunes (Author) FMUP; Cotrim, TP (Author) Other; Ferreira, ML (Author) Other; Boto, R (Author) Other; Manzano, MJ (Author) Other; Silva, CF (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO 2013

Pages: 371-373

SHO 2013 International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene

Guimarães, 14 e 15 de Fevereiro

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-RDZ

Abstract (EN): Patient handling is a common task performed by hospital nurses and nursing aides and is a major cause of musculoskeletal complaints. With ageing the musculoskeletal disorders influence the work ability. The aim of this study was to understand the relations between work ability and musculoskeletal complaints among healthcare workers who perform patient handling tasks. The tools used were the Portuguese versions of the Work Ability Index, the Nordic Questionnaire and a risk perception questionnaire. Our sample consisted in 109 healthcare workers, 84 nurses and 25 nursing aides from hospital wards, with a mean age of 34,86 years and 84,4% women. Our sample had a good work ability with a mean WAI of 39,19 and only 3,7% had a poor work ability. The WAI correlated negatively with age, meaning that it decreases with ageing. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in the last 12 months was higher at the low back (66,06%), neck (48,62%), upper back (47,71% and shoulders (42,20%). Among the nursing aides were found statistically significant differences in the mean WAI between those with low back complaints and those without it. With respect to the risk perception, 43,5% of the workers reported the use of dangerous methods during patient handling.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3