Musculoskeletal disorders and occupational demands in nurses at a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the association between working conditions, musculoskeletal symptoms, and ergonomic demands on nurses.

BACKGROUND: The physical demands of nursing often require repetitive and forced movements that increase the likelihood of developing musculoskeletal disorders, which are the main occupational diseases in this working population.

METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study of 329 nurses chosen at random. Initial symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were evaluated using Kuorinka's Nordic questionnaire; occupational demands and domestic activities were evaluated using the Individual Survey for Workers' Health, PROESSAT. Logistic regression models were fit to identify associations between musculoskeletal symptoms and occupational activities.

RESULTS: A prevalence of 87% and 83% of MSDs were found in the neck and dorsal/lumbar regions respectively. Using logistic models, associations were identified between ergonomic requirements, exposure time, domestic work, supervision, and discomfort in various regions of the body.

CONCLUSIONS: Postural demands are closely associated with the development of MSDs. Early identification and timely intervention are fundamental.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: MSDs are very common among nurses and are closely associated with occupational tasks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.