A Study of Factors Affecting the Incidence of Lower Back Pain, Shoulder Pain and Neck Pain of the 2nd Year Nursing Students in the 39th Class, Srimahasarakham Nursing College

Abstract

Lower back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain is a group of symptoms syndrome of behavior, posture, or posture when working in an inappropriate position. This causes muscle stiffness which is the cause of the headache, numbness of the hands and feet, tendon inflammation and severe do not return to normal. Aimed to study the physical factors, ergonomics factors and environmental factors affecting lower back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain. The sample consisted of 139 cases of the 2^nd year nursing students in the 39th class. Data were collected using a 22-item questionnaire with an average split-half correlation of 0.715. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The results of the study show that, regarding physical factors affecting the incidence of lower back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain, they include using mobile phones continuously for longer than 30 minutes on a regular basis (𝑥̅=0.99, S.D.=0.08), accounting for 99.33 percent, and working on a computer for longer than 6 hours on a regular basis (𝑥̅=0.68, S.D.=0.46), accounting for 68.30 percent. Regarding ergonomic factors, they were stooping or slouching while sitting for work regularly (𝑥̅=0.91, S.D.=0.29), accounting for 74.80 percent, and prior behavior of bending forward/extending arms/twisting the body for longer than 6 hours (𝑥̅=0.39, S.D.=0.48), accounting for 61.20 percent; and regarding environmental factors, they include using a shoulder bag that weighs more than 10% of body weight inappropriately (𝑥̅=0.49, S.D.=0.50), accounting for 48.90 percent, using table/chair/backrest for studying/ working inappropriately (𝑥̅=0.47, S.D.=0.50), accounting for 46.80 percent, inappropriate space for studying/working (𝑥̅=0.40, S.D.=0.49) accounting for 40.30 percent, and using equipment, pillows, futons, cushions with unsuitable softness (𝑥̅=0.31, S.D.=0.46), 30.90 percent, respectively.

From this study, the scope of the population should be expanded to include nursing students of all years. This is to be the basic information for finding ways to recognize the factors involved in lower back pain, should pain, and neck pain leading to correct behavioral and environmental changes.