PERSONAL AND JOB-RELATED FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF INCIDENCE OF BACK INJURIES AMONG NURSING PERSONNEL

  • 1 October 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (10) , 820-825
Abstract
The purpose of this multicenter prospective cohort study was to assess personal and job-related factors as determinants of incidence of reported back injuries among nurses. The study population included 5,649 nurses who were surveyed by questionnaire and then observed for a 12-month study period. An annual injury rate of 4.9% was observed. Four factors were found to be significant (P < .01) predictors of back injury. All four factors, service area, lifting, job category, and previously reported back injury, maintain significance when a forward stepping model of logistic regression is applied. The adjusted odds ratios observed are 4.26 for service areas where lifting occurs most as compared to areas where lifting occurs at least; 2.19 for daily lifters v light, occasional, and nonlifters; 1.77 for nursing aides v registered nurses and supervisory personnel; and 1.73 for individuals who have previously reported back injury v those who have not reported previous injury. These findings strongly suggest that job-related rather than personal characteristics are the major predictors of back injury in nurses.