Prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain among hospital nurses in Taiwan: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND Low back pain is a common health problem among hospital nurses. However, the prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain have not been widely investigated in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey of 217 hospital nurses to gather self-reported information on the prevalence of back pain, demographic and pain characteristics, and work-related risk factors from 178 respondents who indicated a past history of back pain. The association between the characteristics of back pain and work-related risk factors was also examined. RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of back pain was 82.03%, and the point prevalence of back pain was 43.78%. The mean pain score is 41.67. The number of years at work was significantly associated with the pain score for an individual's most recent episode of back pain, the extent of bothersomeness of back pain and leg pain, and the extent to which back pain interfered with normal work. CONCLUSION Back pain is common among hospital nurses in Taiwan. Years at work are significantly associated with pain severity and disability caused by back pain.