Practice of Proper Body Mechanics and Ergonomics in a Teaching Hospital, South-South, Nigeria

Statement of the Problem

Over 59 million healthcare workers are prone to occupational hazards including biological, physical, ergonomic, environmental and psychosocial [3]. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are defined by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as “injuries or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and disc and supporting structures of the upper and lower limbs and lower back that are caused, precipitated or exacerbated by sudden exertion or prolonged exposure to physical factors such as repetition, force, vibration or awkward posture [12].

It is in the light of the above that the researchers seek to know the extent of practice of proper body mechanics and ergonomics among hospital workers in Rivers State, for if the workers’ goal is to remain at work healthy, fit and without much load of work on him/her, he/she must carry out his/ her work safely in such a manner as to reduce the negative effects of body mechanics and ergonomics, especially as he/ she ages at work.

Methodology

The design for this study is the descriptive design. This study was carried out at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Old GRA and Port Harcourt. The study population was made up of all staff of the university community Permanent staff – 512 Casuals/Locums – 360 Interns/HO – 150

Sample Size Determination

There are two schools of thought about sample size-one is that as long as a survey representative, a relatively small sample size is adequate. Perhaps 300-500 respondents can work. The other point of view is that while maintaining a representative sample is essential, the more respondents you have the better. Using a standard deviation of 0.5 is a safe choice. Using Andrew Fisher’s Formula: Converting the confidence level into a Z-score => 1.96 Put these figures into the sample size formula to get

Data Collection Procedure

Researcher-modified (adopted) questionnaires were distributed to the members of staff. The questionnaires were retrieved after about 3 days. The various variables in the questionnaire were sieved and noted.

Data Analysis Method

Frequency and percentage of the various variables was analysed. Inferential statistics of chi-square was used to ascertain the relationship between the variables at 0.05 level of significance. This was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 21. The first of the analysis was the demographic analysis, followed by the extent of knowledge of proper body mechanics and ergonomics among hospital workers in Rivers State and finally extent of practice of proper body mechanics and ergonomics among hospital workers in Rivers State.

The study revealed participation of (235) 60.3% of females compared to (155) 39.7% of males. On the marital status of the participants, we had more married people with (201) 51.6% followed by the singles with (183) 46.9% and then divorced/widow/widower with (6) 1.5%.

On participant’s occupation, doctors have the highest participation with (104) 26.7% followed by medical laboratory scientist with (78) 20.0%. This was followed by others majorly radiographers, catering department, etc with (60) 15.4% and then nurses (58) 14.9% followed by pharmacists (39) 10.0% then admin with (24) 6.1% followed by medical records with (16) 4.2% and lastly physiotherapists (11) 2.8% On participants years of working, less than 10years were more with (199) 51.0% followed by 11-20years with (100) 25.7% then 21-30years with (50) 12.8% and lastly over 30 years with (41) 10.5%.

On their highest educational qualification, first degree was the highest with (231) 59.2% followed by postgraduate with (114) 29.2% followed by Registered Nurse (RN)/ Registered Midwife (RM) with (25) 6.4% and lastly high school/West African School Certificate(WASC) with (20) 5.1%.

Question 1: Do you ask for help from a friend if you have to lift big patient or object?

Question 2: Do you straighten your knees and bending your back when lifting an object from the floor?

Question 3: Do you use the principles of body mechanics during the procedure for removing a patient from bed to chair and vice versa?

Question 4: Do you sit for long hours without getting up to stretch your legs? Upward of 1,2,3 hours?

Question 5: Are your work tables close to your chest level when seated?

Question 6: Do you sit upright always and do you slouch?

Question 7: Do your feet touch the ground when you are seated?

Question 8: Are you comfortable with your seat at work?

Question 9: Does your seat at work have an arm/back rest?

Question 10: Do you sit upright always to do your work?

Question 11: Does your seat at work have a forward protrusion at the waist (low back) area?

Question 12: How often do you get up from your seats to stretch your legs?

Question 13: If need be, would you want your chair/table to be changed to conform to your individual structure?

Question 14: Do you stand to carry out your duty?

Question 15: For about how long do you stand on a stretch without sitting down?

Question 16: Which type of foot wear are you often comfortable with? Table 2: Practice of ergonomics and body mechanics among healthcare workers.

Table 2 contained some sixteen (16) interesting questions looking at the practice of ergonomics and body mechanics among healthcare workers which had about 57.7% on the average of practicing proper body mechanics. A total of 85.1% (332) of the participants asked for asked for help from a friend when they have to lift big patient or object. 60.3% (235) of them straightens their knees and bend their back when lifting an object from the floor. Those who observed the principles of body mechanics during the procedure for removing a patient from bed to chair and vice versa were said to be 49.0% (191) while 49.5% (193) sits for 1,2,3 hours long without getting up to stretch their legs. 50.8% (198) of the participants have their work tables close to their chest level when seated while 44.4% (173) agreed they do sit upright always/slouch. The feet of 82.6% (322) of the participants touch the ground when they are seated and 52.6% (205) are comfortable with their seats at work. 67.4% (263) have their seats with an arm/back rest. Those who sit upright always to do their work were 42.6% (166) while 30.3% (118) participants’ seats have a forward protrusion at the waist (low back). How often the participants get up from their seats to stretch their legs, 40.0% (156) do that every 30 minutes, 34.1% (133) every one (1) hour and 25.9% (101) every two (2) hours. 75.4% (294) wants their chairs/tables changed to conform to their individual structure as 60.0% (234) agrees that they stand to carry out their duties. 36.9% (144) stands on a stretch for 30 minutes without sitting down, 32.3% (126) for one (1) hour and 30.8% (120) for two (2) hours. Finally, 27.2% (106) are comfortable with hard sole against 72.8% (284) that are comfortable with soft sole.

In Table 3, it is evident that sex was significant in three (3) questions; 3, 11 and 16. Marital status in two (2) questions; 2 and 5. Occupation in six (6) questions; 1, 2, 7, 11, 14 and 15. Years of working in six (6) questions; 2, 3, 9, 10, 13 and 15. Highest educational qualification as significant in two (2) questions; 12 and 14. Marital status and educational qualification were both significant in two out of the sixteen questions. Occupation and working years had six out of the sixteen and sex had three out of the sixteen questions. Question 2, “straightening of knees and bending of back when lifting an object from the floor” was significant in three out of the five demographic variables that is marital status (P = 0.025), occupation (P = 0.036) and working years (P = 0.024). This is followed by question 3 “using of the principles of body mechanics during the procedure for removing a patient from bed to chair and vice versa” which was significant for sex (P = 0.001) and working years (P = 0.000), question 11 “having seat at work with a forward protrusion at the waist (low back) area” was significant for sex (P = 0.040) and occupation (P = 0.001), question 14 “standing to carry out one’s duties” was also significant for occupation (P = 0.000) and educational qualification (P = 0.002) and finally question 15 “how long stand on a stretch without sitting down” which is significant for occupation (P = 0.000) and working years (P = 0.034). The questions with one (1) significant level was question 1 “asking for help from a friend when trying to lift big patient or object” which was significant for occupation (P = 0.001), question 5 “having work tables close to their chest level when seated” significant for marital status (P = 0.050), question 7 “their feet touching the ground when seated” significant for occupation (P = 0.010), question 9 “having their seat at work with an arm/back rest” significant for working years (P = 0.012), question 10 “sitting upright to do work” which was significant for working years (P = 0.008), question 12 “often get up from their seats to stretch the legs” for educational qualification (P = 0.001), question 13 “If need be, their chair/table to be changed to conform to their individual structure” for working years (P = 0.008) and question 16 “the type of foot wear they are often comfortable with” for sex (P = 0.006).