Comparison of Patient-Sitter Ward Nurses and General Ward Nurses on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Occupational Stress and Nursing Work Environments

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational stress and nursing work environments of nurses working in patient-sitter wards and general wards. METHODS: The study surveyed 240 nurses with more than one year of experience working in both patient-sitter wards and general wards. The collected data then was analyzed by SPSS statistics version 22. RESULTS: As for the musculoskeletal symptoms, the survey showed that 85.2% and 67.8% of the nurses had such symptoms respectively in patient-sitter wards and general wards. In terms of occupational stress, no significant difference was observed between the patient-sitter ward and the general ward (t=-0.23, p=.821). Lastly, the study showed that there is a significant difference in terms of work environment considering the scores recorded 2.65 and 2.55 points respectively in patient-sitter ward and general ward (t=2.53, p=.012). CONCLUSION: Follow-up research should look at ways to lower the rate of experiencing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; analyze work performances and establish work standards to lower occupational stress; and devise measures to improve the work environment for the nurses working in patient-sitter wards.

Health Education Needs of Mothers who are Caring for Children with Disabilities / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health education needs of mothers who are nurturing children with disabilities. METHOD: A descriptive study was done and the participants were 108 mothers of children with disabilities such being mentally challenged, developmentally delayed or having a disability involving brain damage. The questionnaire was a health education need assessment with 11 categories(58 items) developed by Han et al. The data were analyzed using SPSS program. RESULTS: The mean score for health education needs of the mothers of children with disabilities was 3.83 (SD=0.58) out of a maximum 5. The health education need for acquisition of knowledge and information had the highest score (4.40+/-0.54) followed by health education needs for cognitive development and learning (4.31+/-0.64), interpersonal relationships (4.04+/-0.65) and behavior and emotion (4.04+/-0.79). There were significant differences between the children's sex (t=2.08, p=.04), birth order (t=2.17, p=.03), grade of disability (F=3.32, p=.02) and sex education suitable to the child's in age. CONCLUSION: The health education needs of mothers of children who are disabled were very high and varied. Therefore, it was important to develop comprehensive education programs which include this content and provide opportunities for mothers of children with disabilities to receive this education.