Affiliations: Department of Ergonomics, School of Health and Nutrition,
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | Research Center for Health Sciences, Shiraz University
of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | Department of Epidemiology, School of Health and
Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Note: [] Corresponding author: A.R. Choobineh, Research Center for
Health Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 71465-111,
Shiraz, Iran. Tel.: +98 711 7251020; Fax: +98 711 7260225; E-mail:
alrchoobin@sums.ac.ir
Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is little data available on job stress dimensions
and their relationship to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among Iranian
nurses. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate job
stress dimensions and examine their relationship to MSDs among nurses of Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) hospitals. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 385~randomly selected nurses of SUMS participated. The
Persian version of Job Content Questionnaire (P-JCQ) and Nordic MSDs
questionnaire were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and
Mann-Whitney U test were applied for data analysis. RESULTS: Decision latitude and social support dimensions had low levels, but psychological and
physical job demands as well as job insecurity dimensions had high levels among
the nurses. 89.9% of the subjects experienced some form of MSDs during the
last 12 months. Lower back symptoms were the most prevalent problem reported
(61.8%). Physical isometric loads was the only sub-scale that had
significant relationship with MSDs. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of cases, subjects were exposed to high levels of job stress. MSDs prevalence was
high. Based on the results, any interventional program for MSDs prevention
should focus on reducing physical and psychological job demands as well as
increasing decision latitudes.
