Cognitive on Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses in Shandong Province of China: A cross- sectional study

Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have become major occupational health problems worldwide. Last year, 91.2% of nurses reported experiencing WMSDs in at least one region of their body. However, this issue has not received adequate attention among nurses. This study aims to determine the frequency of WMSDs and assess nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-protective behaviors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 among full-time registered nurses from various departments in hospitals across Shandong Province, China. Demographic data, the Nordic Standardized Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and questionnaires on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to protection were used. Results A total of 697 nurses participated, 93.7% of whom were female and 87.7% who held a bachelor's degree or higher. The prevalence rates of WMSDs were 94.98% (historical), 93.11% (annual), and 87.37% (weekly), which are higher than those reported in relevant studies from Xinjiang. The top five affected body parts were the waist, neck, shoulders, back, and wrist. The WMSD prevalence was higher in women (96.02%) than in men (20.45%) and was highest among nurses aged ≥ 41 years and those with 16–20 years of experience (98.01% and 98.90%, respectively). Married nurses and those with a BMI ≥ 32.0 kg/m2 had prevalence rates of 95.85% and 100%, respectively. The factors significantly associated with WMSDs included sex, age, years of work, marital status, educational background, BMI, working hours, knowledge, and protective behaviors. The study revealed that 31.3% of nurses lacked knowledge about WMSDs, 65.1% reported no relevant training in their hospitals, and 90.7% were willing to participate in such training. Conclusion The prevalence of WMSDs among nurses in Shandong Province is high, with multiple body parts affected. Binary logistic regression analysis identified long periods of standing and lifting weights with one hand as risk factors. Strong protective behavioral abilities serve as a protective factor. This study highlights the need for increased attention and timely interventions from nursing managers.