Application of MAPO index and JCQ in assessing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial stressors in nurse aids at Fasa hospital

Musculoskeletal disorders are major problems in hospital care staff. One of the most important reasons for these disorders are patient handling tasks and psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial stressors caused by Patients handling among nurse aids. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 56 nurse aids of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The data were collected via Nordic questionnaire, MAPO index checklist and job content questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables and the chi-square test for analyzing the data. The results showed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the Lower back(71.4%) and the least in the thigh and neck area(46.4%). The results of MAPO index for risk of musculoskeletal disorders showed that 9 out of 12 sections(63.2%) were in the 2nd level. Also, the average score of the dimensions of the psychological job demands and the physical job demands are high and the average score of social support is low, which indicates high stress. Also, the physical job demands(P=0.035), social support(P=0.002) and job insecurity(P=0.001) were related to the levels of MAPO risks. According to the findings of the study, the prevalence of  low back pain is high and nurse aids experience many psychosocial stressors in their job life. So the training of the ergonomics principles and the use of auxiliary equipment in the transport of the patient by the nurse aid, as well as the reduction of stressors such as the psychological and physical job demand, the lack of social support and job insecurity by authorities. Efforts to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.