Affiliations: [a] Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [b] Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [c] Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [d]
Institute of Occupational Health of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [e] Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [f] Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Prof. dr. Ivan Mikov, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Department of Occupational Medicine and Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. Tel.: +381214843787; E-mail: ivan.mikov@mf.uns.ac.rs.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The presence of low back pain in nurses is becoming increasingly prominent and it has significant impact both on the individual as well as on the community. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain among practicing nurses. METHODS:The research has been conducted in five health care institutions in the area of Vojvodina. Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). RESULTS:Five hundred and twelve nurses participated in this study. Most of the participants (93.95%) indicated that they experienced discomfort or pain in the lower back in the last 12 months. Due to low back pain, 61.95% of participants had reduced working abilities and 76.09% of participants have never taken time off from work. CONCLUSIONS:Due to low back pain nurses have a reduced working capacity, but they nevertheless rarely seek medical help or the change of the work place. The implementation of better ergonomic approach and adequate organization of work could reduce the occurrence of low back pain.
