Low back pain among nurses in Slovenian hospitals: cross-sectional study.

AIM: The study investigated the prevalence and factors predicting low back pain among nurses in Slovenian hospitals. BACKGROUND: The risk factors for low back pain are physical and psychosocial. Implementation of interventions for reducing low back pain calls for management support, accessible equipment, education, knowledge and risk assessment. INTRODUCTION: Low back pain prevalence and incidence among healthcare workers is very high compared to the general population and is a strong risk factor for long-term sickness absence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was utilized. We used validated instruments: Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire, Stanford Presenteeism Scale and Perceived Stress Scale. The sample included 1744 nursing employees from 16 Slovenian hospitals, ranging from practical nurses, registered nurses, nurses with a bachelor's degree and those with a master's degree. FINDINGS: Results revealed a prevalence of low back pain among 85.9% of respondents. Relevant risk factors included female gender, age, length of employment, years in current position, shift work and the number of nurses per shift. In the regression model, factors predicting low back pain included presenteeism with a negative effect on work, presenteeism and maintaining work productivity, inability to control daily life, number of nurses per shift and respondents' age. CONCLUSIONS: Future activities should be oriented towards eliminating or reducing risks for low back pain incidents and towards different strategies, guidelines and actions which empower individuals and provide knowledge to manage and prevent low back pain. IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH POLICY: Slovenian healthcare system planning needs a national strategy to successfully promote LBP preventive and controlling strategies. Management can plan preventive and curative measures to reduce low back pain prevalence among nursing personnel. Management should also implement policies reflecting research findings.

Evidence-based practice among nurses in Slovenian Hospitals: a national survey.

AIMS: To identify the extent of evidence-based practice implementation among nurses in Slovenian hospital settings, to establish nurses' beliefs on evidence-based practice and to identify possible explanatory factors. BACKGROUND: Conducting and applying research are fundamental nurses' tasks and an essential expectation in nursing practice. INTRODUCTION: Despite verified benefits of evidence-based practice, research evidence across different countries has shown extremely limited implementation of this practice among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional research design was employed. Standardized instruments Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation Scale were used. The sample included 534 nurses from 19 Slovenian hospitals. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and factor analysis, and linear regression. RESULTS: Nurses in Slovenian hospitals have positive beliefs about evidence-based practice, but exhibit a low level of implementation. The beliefs were explained by perceived knowledge on research, job satisfaction and length of employment, whereas a low level of implementation was explained by poor perceived knowledge on research, evidence-based practice and job satisfaction level. DISCUSSION: Nurses in Slovenian hospitals have positive beliefs about evidence-based practice, but exhibit a low level of implementation. According to the results, some resources required for improved implementation are not made sufficiently available. LIMITATIONS: A low response rate; the sample not being balanced for educational achievement; and the accuracy of self-report survey methods. CONCLUSION: In addition to the perceived knowledge and education provided, an important factor is also job satisfaction, which points to the instrumental role of management workers in determining nurses' professional development. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Nursing managers in Slovenian hospitals should promote the development of head nurses in research and evidence-based care, thereby fostering a culture of evidence-based practice.