Continuous monitoring of back postures using portable inclinometer among nursing assistants

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among nursing personnel; e pidemiological studies have demonstrated the highest prevalence of back pain among nursing assistants. The aim of this study was to continuously monitor lumbar sagittal and frontal postures of nursing assistants in a hospital of Khuzestan province. The study population consisted of sixty nursing assistants working in different departments of the hospital. Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire (NMQ) was used to determine the prevalence of low back pain of workers in 2012. A portable triaxial inclinometer electronic device was used for continuous monitoring of postures of back in nursing assistants. Sampling time was 2 hours determined with a frequency of 7.6 Hz. The percentage average of natural and extreme postures in different parts of the hospital were compared by table analysis of variance. The logistic regression was used to relate the survey of awkward and natural postures in relation to the back pain. The results showed that the prevalence of low back pain among nursing assistants was 60 % in last year. The highest and lowest percentages of extreme postures in flexion / extension (over 20 °) obtained in the internal department (85.6 %) and female surgery department (13.1 %), respectively. The poor postures in the lateral bend (more than 20 °) obtained in the orthopaedic department (68.4 %) and male surgery department (7.9 %). The present study indicated that using electronic inclinometer is able to record continuous monitoring of trunk postures in sagittal and frontal planes. It could also be employed with high care without interfering with individual activities for assessing the risk of back injuries. Likewise, awkward postures can be a high risk factor for nursing assistants in causing low back pain while working, which requires for ergonomic interference to diminish physical workload.