Work engagement and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) is an alarming occupational health concern worldwide. Nurses are among the professional at high risk of WRMSDs. Objective: This study explores the prevalence WRMSDs and the association with work engagement among nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study used self-administered survey was disseminated to female nurses working at the hospitals in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (N-SNMQ) was used to determine the annual prevalence of WRMSDs. Level of work engagement was assessed using Utrecht Work Engagement (M-UWES). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between WRMSDs and work engagement. Results: This study received high response rate (83.3%) with annual prevalence of 73.1%. Most common WRMSDs was reported in neck (48.9%) followed by feet (47.2%) while least was documented in arms and elbows (6.6%). After covariates adjustment (age, years of employment), the adjusted logistic regression analyses highly engaged nurses (AOR:0.71-0.74, 95%CI 0.56 – 0.95) were found to be unlikely sustained of WRMSDs. Conclusion: The findings of this study addressed high prevalence of WRMSDs among nurses. High work engagement could facilitate to reduce risk of WRMSDs, hence offer preventive strategies, making a substantial impact on reducing WRMSDs.