ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE AND IMPACTS OF WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG NURSES AT INTERMEDIATE HOSPITALS IN NAMIBIA

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) have been ranked as the major cause of disability globally. Namibian intermediate hospital (IH) nurses are overworked and susceptible to musculoskeletal diseases. The study aimed to determine the 12-month prevalence, and impacts of WRMSDs among nurses at IHs Katutura, Onandjokwe, Oshakati, and Rundu in Namibia. Methods: A self-administered Standardised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument for a cross-sectional study involving 808 randomly selected nurses at IHs Katutura, Onandjokwe, Oshakati, and Rundu. SPSS version 26 was used for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Results revealed a high 12-month prevalence of WRMSDs in any body part (76%), (73%), (69%), and (65%) at IHs Katutura, Oshakati, Rundu, and Onandjokwe, respectively. The lower back was the most prevalent body part affected by the 12-month WRMSDs (74%), (72%), (71%), and (69%) at IHs Katutura, Onandjokwe, Rundu, and Oshakati, respectively. The WRMSDs are impacting nurses’ work and daily lives. There is unnecessary money spent on medical consultations, and nurses might contribute poorly to the hospital’s output since they have to pursue medical attention instead of attending to patients. Conclusion: WRMSDs are prevalent and impacting nurses' lives at IHs. Collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, policymakers, and professional bodies are essential to creating a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes nurses' physical and psychosocial well-being and mitigates the effects of WRMSDs. Further research needs to be conducted to determine risk factors contributing to WRMSDs among nurses at IHs in Namibia.