[Determinants of musculoskeletal system load and their health effects among nurses from four Poznan hospitals].
BACKGROUND
This paper is an analysis of a current knowledge of ergonomic weight lifting, work conditions, and their health effects on the locomotion system in selected groups of nurses employed in four hospitals in Poznań.


METHODS
The analysis was carried out in 213 hospital nurses. The 22-32 age group was most representative (108 persons, 50.7%). In the analysis, a questionnaire on work conditions, ergonomic knowledge, and locomotion system complaints was used.


RESULTS
Unfortunately, the nurses' knowledge of maximum values of lifting weights for working women is very limited, and their familiarity with ergonomic work with patients is inadequate. The number of auxiliary devices facilitating the work with patients in hospitals under study was far from being satisfactory. Of the total number of the interviewed nurses, 73.23% reported complaints of joint and back pains. Pains in L-S and cervical sections of the backbone were most frequently reported (110 nurses, 51.64%; 30 nurses, 14.08%, respectively). More than a half of nurses (55.86%) link their pain complaints with patient lifting. The authors found a significant statistical relationship between the presence of facilitating devices and the presence of L-S backbone pains. More devices, less pains. In the analysed population, nurses carrying >30 kg compared to those carrying < or =25 kg, frequency of complains concerning low-back-pain increased about 90% (p-value = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis showed the significance of the problem of the locomotion system load among nurses, whereas preventive means and actions to solve it are unsatisfactory in Poland. Also the study population of nurses showed insufficient knowledge of ergonomic lifting of patients and adopted norms in this area. This highlights striking ineffectiveness or lack of training in work hygiene and safety addressed to nurses. An insufficient number of nurses is another problem responsible for breaking or neglecting maximum allowable values of lifting weights for women, which are binding in Poland. Owing to these the locomotion system complaints among hospital nurses are so frequently reported.
Bilski
Bartosz
B
Z Katedry Profilaktyki Zdrowotnej, Akademii Medycznej im. K. Marcinkowskiego, Poznaniu. bilskib@polbox.com
Sykutera
Lucyna
L
D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D016272:Occupational Health; D011044:Poland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016474:Weight-Bearing