Ergonomics and Psychosocial Predictors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nursing Professionals

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common occupational health issues  among nurses resulting  from the combined effects of physically demanding tasks and psychosocial pressures. These conditions lead to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and strain on healthcare systems. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among nurses in a teaching hospital and to examine demographic, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors associated with their occurrence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 45 registered nurses recruited from various wards of a tertiary teaching hospital. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, which included the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and measures of demographic, ergonomic, and psychosocial variables. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize characteristics and prevalence, while binary logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. More than half of the respondents reported WMSDs in the past 12 months, with the ankles/feet (35.6%), neck (33.3%), and lower back (31.1%) most frequently affected. Significant predictors included female (AOR = 6.48, 95% CI: 1.07–39.23), being married (AOR = 5.11, 95% CI: 1.07–24.40), having children (AOR = 5.58, 95% CI: 1.20–25.83), heavy lifting without assistance (AOR = 6.36, 95% CI: 1.31–32.80), high workload (AOR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.17–21.42), and low supervisory support (AOR = 4.72, 95% CI: 1.04–21.36).In conclusion, WMSDs among nurses are influenced by overlapping personal, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks. Integrated prevention strategies combining ergonomic interventions, such as assistive devices and safe patient-handling, with organizational measures, including workload management, adequate staffing, and supportive supervision, are essential to safeguard nurses’ health and maintain healthcare system resilience. This study contributes novel evidence by integrating both ergonomic and psychosocial predictors within a single framework, providing context-specific insights for developing holistic WMSD prevention strategies among Malaysian nurses.