Low back pain knowledge and associated disability among nursing staff in Oman

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a prevalent issue worldwide, impacting all healthcare professionals, in particular nurses, and leading to disability.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the predictive contribution of demographic factors, the presence of LBP, and knowledge about LBP in forecasting the level of disability among nurses in Oman.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire comprising two valid tools: the Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire and the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire. A total of 236 nurses working in two tertiary hospitals in Oman participated in the study.

RESULT: The findings indicate that 66.8% of nurses had low back pain. The low back pain knowledge score was 13.81(SD 4.42). The mean disability score was 9.13 (SD 8.56), indicating mild disability. There is a negative significant association between low back pain knowledge (r = -0.24, p < .004) and disability level. The low back pain presence was also significantly associated with disability level (t (233) = 4.606, p < .001). The results of the regression indicated the two predictors (i.e., knowledge level and low back pain) explained 13 % of the variation in nurses' disability level [F (3,230) = 11.447, p = .01].

CONCLUSION: Low back pain is prevalent among nurses in Oman, and it is associated with disability. Preventive strategies need to be implemented.