Occupational back pain among rehabilitation nurses in Saudi Arabia: the influence of knowledge and awareness.

Occupational low back pain among nurses has been the subject of research studies worldwide. However, evidence of the influence of nurses' awareness of safe handling practices and compliance with standard guidelines on low back pain remains scarce. This study examined the association between occupational low back pain and level of awareness of back care, and described the self-reported nature of low back pain in relation to organizational policies among nurses in Saudi Arabia. A total of 155 nurses working in a rehabilitation hospital participated in the study. The lack of a patient handling policy at the workplace was identified as a significant risk factor for the development of low back pain, whereas exercising regularly was a protective factor. Not only mechanical exposure but also organizational factors and level of awareness were related to the development of low back pain. This study highlights the need to develop institutional plans for injury reporting, and provides evidence of the importance of incorporating awareness as part of prevention strategies. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.