Role of Health Beliefs, Somatization Tendency and Mental Health on Low Back Pain of Nurse

Low back pain is one of the widespread problems among nurses which can cause disability, absenteeism, work restriction, and negative economic impacts. This study aimed at determining the role of health beliefs, somatization tendency and mental health on back pain among nurses. The present research was a cross sectional study among 246 nursing personnel (all nurses and nurse aids) working in Shahrood hospitals in 2008. CPUID, questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square test, multiple logistic regressions and Mann Whitney test for analysis were performed The mean age of participants was 33.7 ± 0.2 yrs, and the mean work hours per day were 47.5 ± 8 hours. 69% of them had more than 5 years work experience. 59% (n=145) of the study population reported back pain in previous 12 months. Significant relationships were found between work experience, working with hands above shoulder height, Familiarity with people suffering from back pain outside of work environment, somatisation tendency, health beliefs)P>0.05). Results indicated that in addition to physical work related risk factors, health beliefs and somatisation tendency can be risk factors for back pain which confirms results of similar studies in other countries.