Demographic and occupational characteristics of the nursing staff with low back pain in the public hospital of Corrientes, 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a common occupational disease in nursing, associated with the demands of the position and  multiple causes. The intensity varies according to posture and physical activity, accompanied by painful limitation of movement, being localized, referred or irradiated. Objective: To determine the demographic and labor characteristics of the nursing staff that presents low back pain in a public hospital in Corrientes, capital in the year 2021. Methodology: Quantitative, cross-sectional, observational design. Population 170 hospital nursing workers. Those with low back pain and who did not have chronic or disabling diseases were included. The data was collected through a self-prepared questionnaire, validated through a pilot test. Variables: age, gender, nursing training, frequency, intensity and duration of pain, main type of pain, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment, main generating situation, type of work performed, shift and work seniority. Results: The response of 115 workers with low back pain were analyzed; age range 22 to 62 years, average 36 years; 67% women. Low back pain was daily in 22%, frequent in 35%, occasional in 43%. According to intensity, 13% reported mild pain, 47% moderate and 40% severe. Pain was daily in 10% of youth, 20% of young adults, 45% of middle adults, and 59% of late adults. In duration, 73% suffered from it acutely and 27% chronically. In pain location, 75% indicated localized pain and 25% irradiated. Main situations that generate low back pain, 51% when moving patients, 23% when standing, 18% when moving heavy objects. In the  perception of the personnel on the type of habitual work, 41% indicated heavy and 12% very heavy. 86% of those surveyed used NSAIDs. Conclusion: The intensity of low back pain is lower in the younger staff compared to the older ones. The youngest refer localized pain, the oldest radiated pain. The main trigger of low back pain is the mobilization of patients.