The prevalence of low back pain and related factors among nurses working in primary and secondary health care services in Balikesir

The aim of this study is to determine the low back pain prevalence and to evaluate the factors lead to low back pain among nurses in primary and secondary health care services in Balıkesir.In this study no sample was selected, all the nurses were included in the study who were working in the city central hospitals (two were included) and primary health services (n= 526). In this study questionnaire developed by the researcher and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and Brief Disability Questionnaire was used. Face to face interviews technique was used by the researchers. Data analyses were made with SPSS 10.0.%38.8 of nurses were working in primary health care services, %62.2 of nurses in hospital. The mean age was 35.4±5.6 years. The life time low back prevalence was %67.3, the prevalence of the low back pain in the past 12 month was %58.4, the prevalence of the low back pain in the past month was %40.1 and the current low back pain prevalence was %33.8. Multivariate risk analyze determined that life time and 12 month prevalence of low back pain were found high among married, divorced/widow, in the presence of badly or moderately perceived health status and the nurses who walk long distances during their work. In the past 12 month of low back pain risk was increased by irregular sport activity. The last one month low back pain prevalence was high in the groups who handles object in their work, climbing/ descending stairs with heavy load and general health perception bad or medium people?s. Current low back pain risk was high in the groups who do chores on foot at home and have moderate perceived health status. Low back pain affects quality of life and disability.The prevalence of low back pain in nurses is high. The factors that affect low back pain are legion at work and home. The training to prevent low back pain is useful.Key words: Nurse, Low back pain, Related factors