The Relationship between Knowledge of Ergonomic Science and Occupational Injuries in Nurses

• Main Authors: Mahnaz Saremi, Rohollah Fallah Madvari, Elham Akhlaghi Pirposhte, Fereydoon Laal, Hossein Ali Adineh, Abbas Mohammad Hosseini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2018-10-01
• Series: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Journal
• Subjects: Ergonomic science; Knowledge; Nurses; Occupational injuries
• Online Access: http://psj.mums.ac.ir/article_11700_d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e.pdf

Introduction: The goal of ergonomics science is to achieve an effective adaptation between the user and the workstation to improve productivity, increase the safety and reduce occupational injuries. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of studying knowledge about ergonomics, determining working conditions and occupational injuries of nurses in selected hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences by one standard questionnaire. Using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-square, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA, data were analyzed. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age and work experience were about 32.67 ± 8.63 and 8.84 ± 7.46 years, respectively. Results showed the level of nurses 'knowledge about ergonomics with an average of 0.72 ± 3.14 was good. Also, the extent of occupational problems and injuries, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), with a mean of 0.95 ± 2.10 was also weak. The results showed that there was a significant reverse relationship between the level of knowledge of ergonomic science and the level of occupational injury (P-value = 0.00, R = -0.299) and between working conditions and occupational injuries (P-value = 0.000, R = -0.357). Conclusions: Use of educational programs to increase nurses' awareness of the principles and rules of ergonomics in work environments and the use of ergonomic interventions to improve conditions and work environment can play an effective role in reducing nurses' occupational injuries.