A comparative analysis on musculoskeletal disorders between Greek and Dutch nursing personnel |
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Authors: | Evangelos C Alexopoulos Alex Burdorf Athena Kalokerinou |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands;(2) Nursing School Athens University, Athens, Greece |
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Abstract: | Objective: To analyse cross-cultural differences between Greek and Dutch nursing personnel in association with the risk factors and
occurrence and consequences (absenteeism and medical care seeking) of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This study was based on questionnaire surveys among 393 nurses and caregivers in nursing homes and homes for the elderly
in The Netherlands and among 351 nurses in general hospitals in Athens, Greece. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse
associations between physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health and (1) the occurrence
of musculoskeletal complaints in the past 12 months, (2) chronic complaints during at least 3 months, and (3) complaints which
led to sickness absence and medical care seeking. Results: Greek nurses reported significantly more back complaints in the past 12 months (75 vs. 62%) than the Dutch workers, but
chronicity (11 vs. 12%) and sickness absence (17 vs. 15%) of these complaints did not differ. Similar differences were observed
for neck complaints but not for shoulder complaints. Most Greek nurses with back complaints visited a medical specialist (40%)
while Dutch nurses and caregivers sought care through a general practitioner (33%). Multivariate analyses showed that in both
countries strenuous back postures (ORs 1.9 and 1.9) and especially a moderate general health (ORs 4.3 and 2.9) were the significant
risk factors for back pain. Conclusions: In both countries similar risk factors were associated with the occurrence of low-back pain. Cross-national differences
were less important for the risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints than for the consequences of these complaints and
for medical care seeking. |
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Keywords: | Musculoskeletal complaints Low-back pain Nurses Sickness absence Medical care seeking Greece The Netherlands |
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