Coping Strategies Used by Nurses with Low Back Pain in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the factors that contribute to low back pain and the coping strategies used by nurses with low back pain in a tertiary hospital in North Central Nigeria. A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with structured questionnaires administered to 204 randomly selected, eligible, consenting nurses between August-November 2011. Data was obtained for sociodemographic details, Wong-Baker Faces (WBF) Pain Scale, and Work Ability Index (WAI). Results were analyzed using SPSS version 21 statistical software. Results indicated that, working in the same position, lifting or transferring dependent patients, treating excessive number of patients and not having enough rest/break were perceived to be the commonest factors significantly contributing to low back pain severity. However, ‘treating excessive number of patients’ was two times more likely to be associated with severe low back pain. The significant coping strategies in those with less severe pain were: getting help from someone to handle heavy patients, modifying a nursing procedure, warming up or stretching before nursing activities, adjusting the plinth/bed height and taking pain relieving drugs. However, getting someone to help to handle heavy patients was three times more likely to occur in those with less severe back pain. Nurses with low back pain adopt a variety of non-standardized problem-focused coping strategies. This calls on physicians managing low back pain among health workers to know common factors contributing to low back pain among nurses and the coping strategies they often adopt. Health institutions should be encouraged to implement policies that would improve the working conditions of nurses which will enable them to be more productive.