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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational health concern for all healthcare professionals. However, there is a paucity of research regarding the factors contributing to musculoskeletal problems among clinical nurses at Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate occupational risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among clinical nurses at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Method: The research employed an institutional descriptive cross-sectional design and used a simple random sample method to recruit 206 clinical nurses. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.
Findings: Based on the findings, 47.5% of respondents strongly agreed with the assertion that nurses' repositioning of patients in bed contributed to musculoskeletal disorders. From the results, 52.4% respondents strongly agreed with the statement that, nurses transferring patients onto a stretcher contributed to musculoskeletal disorders. There was an association between respondents age and how lower back pain affect nurses work performance in the hospital (χ2 (2) =8.432; p=0.003). There was correlation between musculoskeletal disorders and clinical nurses experiencing knee pain (r=0.385, p˂0.001). The study found that, 65.5% respondents stated that, correct posture during patient care would reduce musculoskeletal disorders among clinical nurses.
Conclusion: The study concluded that, workload contributed to musculoskeletal disorders and this has implications for clinical nurses’ wellbeing and provision of health care to patients. Ghana Health Service should employ more nurses to help reduce the work load in the clinical settings.