Nursing workplace and its relation to occupational health outcomes and physical activity

Abstract

Background Working in hospitals entails several risks to nurses. A better nursing workplace can help in improving physical activity and reducing adverse occupational health outcomes among nurses. Aim This study aimed to investigate the relationships of the nursing workplace with occupational health outcomes and physical activity. Methods A cross-sectional correlation study was conducted with 623 nurses. Data were collected through report self-administered questionnaires that included employment and occupational conditions, hospital workplace environment, and adverse occupational health outcomes as well as physical activity pattern. Results The current study showed that the nursing workplace environment and conditions had a negative effect on occupational health outcomes and physical activity among nurses in the study units. Nurses in this study reported a high prevalence of low back pain (82.7%), burnout (78.3%), and occupational injuries (70.5%). They also reported insufficient physical activities (90.6%). High prevalence of burnout and low back pain were associated with low levels of physical activities among nurses. Conclusion A fair working environment and conditions have been implicated as a causative factor of negative occupational health outcomes and limitations of physical activity among nurses. Adverse occupational health outcomes also affect the nurses engaging in physical activity.