Prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria

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Evidence on the burden of LBP among nurses in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in secondary healthcare settings, remains limited. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in secondary health institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria. Using Fisher’s formula, 341 eligible nurses were recruited. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire incorporating the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to ascertain LBP and validated instruments to assess occupational and psychosocial risk factors. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence and participant characteristics, while chi-square tests examined associations between LBP and potential risk factors at a 5% significance level. Results Of 375 questionnaires distributed, 345 were returned (response rate: 99%). The 12-month prevalence of LBP was 77.7%, while the 7-day prevalence was 43.8%. More than three-quarters of respondents reported activity limitation due to LBP. Significant associations were observed between LBP and age, gender, marital status, educational level, ward posting, years of experience, shift duration, bending during work, and part-time employment. Conclusions Low back pain is highly prevalent among nurses in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State. Occupational demands, particularly heavy workload, prolonged shifts, and patient handling, are key contributors. Targeted ergonomic interventions, adequate staffing, and workplace health programs are urgently needed. Low back pain Nurses Prevalence Risk factors Introduction Pain is a subjective sensory and emotional experience that is commonly perceived as unpleasant and often localized to a particular part of the body. According to the World Health Organization, pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage (Ilić et al., 2021 ). Functionally, pain serves a protective purpose by eliciting behavioral responses that help prevent further injury to affected tissues (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ). Low back pain (LBP), also referred to as lumbago or lumbosacral pain, is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and is associated with substantial health, social, and economic consequences (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ; Peng et al., 2022 ). It is typically characterized by pain, muscle tension, or stiffness localized between the twelfth rib and the gluteal folds, with or without radiation to one or both lower limbs (Bansal et al., 2020 ; Chen et al., 2022 ). Based on symptom duration, LBP is commonly classified as acute (less than 4 weeks), subacute (4–12 weeks), or chronic (12 weeks or longer) (Abdullah et al., 2020 ; Hameed et al., 2021). Globally, LBP is a leading cause of functional limitation, work absenteeism, and disability, contributing significantly to healthcare expenditure and productivity losses (Wu et al., 2020 ). It ranks among the foremost causes of years lived with disability and represents a major contributor to the global disease burden, with estimated annual costs exceeding US $ 135 billion (Bansal et al., 2020 ). Several occupational factors—including prolonged working hours, overtime duties, poor working posture, manual handling tasks, and shift work—have been consistently identified as important predictors of LBP (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ). The economic burden associated with LBP arises from reduced work capacity, absenteeism, loss of income, early retirement, and increased utilization of healthcare services (Huang et al., 2020 ), underscoring its significance as a public health concern (Santos et al., 2021 a). The prevalence of LBP in the general population varies widely, ranging from approximately 30% to 80%, with a clear increase observed with advancing age (Ahmed et al., 2021 ). Annual incidence rates among adults are estimated to range between 10% and 30%, while lifetime prevalence has been reported to reach up to 84%, with nearly one quarter of affected individuals developing chronic LBP (Peng et al., 2022 ). Evidence from a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that lifetime, annual, and point prevalence rates of LBP in African populations exceed global averages (Ahmed et al., 2021 ). In addition, findings from the Global Burden of Disease study revealed a 17.5% increase in years lived with disability attributable to LBP between 2007 and 2017 (Peng et al., 2022 ). Nurses are particularly susceptible to LBP due to the physically demanding nature of their profession, which frequently involves patient handling, prolonged standing, repetitive bending, and high workload demands. Despite the well-documented occupational risk of LBP among nurses globally, there remains limited empirical evidence regarding its prevalence and associated risk factors in secondary healthcare settings in northeastern Nigeria. Specifically, data from Gombe State are scarce. Accordingly, the present study aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain and identify associated risk factors among nurses working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. Addressing this evidence gap is expected to clarify the occupational burden of LBP in this population and support the development of evidence-based preventive strategies and workplace interventions to improve nurses’ health, work ability, and quality of care delivery. Objectives General objective To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of low back pain among nurses working in secondary health facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. Specific objectives To assess the prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health facilities in Gombe State. To identify factors associated with low back pain among these nurses. Methods 3.1 Study Design This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach to data collection to determine the prevalence of low back pain and associated risk factors among nurses working in secondary health facilities. 3.2 Study Setting The study was conducted in Gombe State , located in northeastern Nigeria. The northeastern region comprises six states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe—and occupies approximately one-third of Nigeria’s landmass, with an estimated population of 23.6 million (about 13.5% of the national population as of 2011). Gombe State, popularly referred to as the “Jewel in the Savannah,” has a land area of approximately 17,100 km² and was created on 1 October 1996 from the former Bauchi State. It is bordered by Yobe State to the north, Borno and Adamawa States to the east, Bauchi State to the west, and Taraba State to the south. Administratively, the state is divided into 11 local government areas . The state has an estimated 4,320 healthcare professionals distributed across 579 health facilities . The study was carried out in two major public secondary health institutions: the State Specialist Hospital and the Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital , which have bed capacities of approximately 400 and 150 , respectively. These facilities employ an estimated 300 and 100 nurses and midwives , who constituted the source population for this study. 3.3 Study Population The study population consisted of registered nurses working in secondary health facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria at the time of data collection. 3.4 Sample Size Determination The sample size was determined using Fisher’s formula , as described by Nottidge et al. ( 2019 ). Based on this calculation, a total of 341 nurses who met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study. 3.5 Sampling Technique A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Nurses who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily provided informed consent were enrolled in the study. 3.6 Data Collection Instruments Data were collected using a modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) , adapted from previous studies that assessed the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in different populations. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: Section I : Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. Section II : Risk factors for low back pain, including medical and surgical history and work-related postures that may exacerbate LBP. Section III : Psychosocial factors, incorporating standardized instruments assessing job stress and job satisfaction. Additional work-related risk factors, such as inadequate nursing staff and manual patient handling , were also assessed, in line with previous literature (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ). The 12-month prevalence of low back pain was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Hinmikaiye & Bamishaiye, 2012 ). Psychosocial risk factors were evaluated using the Nursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire (NWSQ) (Foster et al., 2018) and the Workplace Stress Scale (Hasting, 2021). 3.7 Data Collection Procedure After obtaining ethical approval, eligible participants were approached at their workplaces. The purpose of the study was explained, and written informed consent was obtained prior to questionnaire administration. Participants completed the questionnaires anonymously. 3.8 Statistical Analysis Completed questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel for data cleaning and management. Data were coded, transformed into relevant variables, and checked to avoid duplicate entries. The cleaned dataset was then imported into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics , including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize socio-demographic characteristics and the prevalence of low back pain. Chi-square tests were applied to examine associations between low back pain and socio-demographic, medical, work-related, and psychosocial factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 . 3.9 Ethical Considerations Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the Gombe State Ministry of Health . Participants were fully informed about the study objectives, and participation was voluntary. Confidentiality, anonymity, and the principles of non-maleficence were strictly maintained throughout the study. Results 4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents A total of 345 nurses from the State Specialist Hospital and Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital in Gombe State participated in the study. Their socio-demographic characteristics are presented in Table 1 . Most respondents were aged 30–49 years (204, 59.1%), followed by those aged 18–29 years (127, 36.8%). Females constituted the majority of participants (242, 70.1%), and more than half were married (200, 58.0%). With respect to ethnicity, Fulani nurses represented the largest proportion (102, 29.6%), followed by Tangale (92, 26.7%) and Hausa (65, 18.8%). Regarding parity, 113 respondents (32.8%) reported having no children, while 100 (29.0%) had three or more children. In terms of educational attainment, basic nursing qualification was the most common (140, 40.6%), followed by post-basic nursing certificates (109, 31.6%). Only 96 respondents (27.8%) held a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and none reported postgraduate qualifications. 4.2 Exposure to potential risk factors for low back pain The distribution of respondents according to exposure to potential risk factors for low back pain is summarized in Table 2 . Most respondents reported no history of cigarette smoking (291, 84.3%) or alcohol consumption (277, 80.3%). None of the participants reported a prior medical or surgical history of low back pain . More than half of the respondents had a normal body mass index (192, 55.7%), while 92 (26.7%) were overweight and 49 (14.2%) were obese. Physical exercise was reported by 93 nurses (55.9%). With respect to work-related characteristics, the highest proportion of nurses were posted to the accident and emergency (A&E) unit (66, 19.1%), followed by female medical wards (63, 18.3%). Most respondents had 1–5 years (133, 38.6%) or 6–10 years (127, 36.8%) of working experience. During shifts, 146 nurses (42.3%) worked with three to four nurses , while 111 (32.2%) worked with one to two nurses. More than half of the respondents worked eight-hour shifts (185, 53.6%), and 38 (11.0%) reported working 12-hour shifts. Standing was the most frequently adopted working posture (206, 59.7%), followed by bending (83, 24.1%). A large proportion of respondents reported sometimes bending or twisting during work (206, 59.7%), while 135 (39.1%) reported doing so always. Working in the same position for at least two hours was reported by 71 nurses (20.6%). Manual handling of loads exceeding 10 kg was reported by 238 respondents (69.0%). Although most nurses reported requesting assistance during work (267, 77.4%), none indicated the use of assistive devices such as bed remote controls. Most respondents used chairs with backrests (202, 59.6%), and 231 (67.0%) did not engage in part-time employment. 4.3 Psychosocial factors Psychosocial characteristics of respondents are also presented in Table 2 . Using the Workplace Stress Scale, moderate stress levels were reported by 116 nurses (33.6%), while 60 (17.4%) experienced severe stress and 18 (5.2%) reported stress levels classified as dangerous. Job satisfaction, assessed using the Nursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire, showed that the majority of respondents reported good job satisfaction (271, 78.6%). Moderate job satisfaction was reported by 38 nurses (11.0%), while 36 (10.4%) reported poor job satisfaction. 4.4 Prevalence of low back pain The prevalence of low back pain among respondents is presented in Table 3 . The cumulative lifetime prevalence of low back pain was 77.7% (268 respondents). Regarding annual prevalence, 156 nurses (45.2%) reported experiencing low back pain for 1–7 days during the previous 12 months, while 34 (9.9%) reported experiencing low back pain daily over the same period. The one-week prevalence of low back pain was 43.8% (151 respondents), while 194 nurses (56.2%) reported no low back pain during the seven days preceding the survey. Discussion 5.1 Principal findings This study demonstrated a high burden of low back pain (LBP) among nurses working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. The findings indicate that LBP among nurses is a multifactorial condition influenced by demographic characteristics, work-related physical demands, and occupational conditions inherent in nursing practice. The observed cumulative lifetime prevalence (77.7%), annual prevalence (78%), and one-week prevalence (43.8%) underscore the magnitude of LBP as a major occupational health problem in this population. 5.2 Demographic factors associated with low back pain Age was significantly associated with LBP, with the highest prevalence observed among nurses aged 30–49 years . This finding is consistent with previous studies reporting increased vulnerability to LBP during mid-adulthood, likely due to cumulative occupational exposure and age-related musculoskeletal changes (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ; Sachdev & Chughani, 2021 ). Similar age-related trends have been reported among nurses in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran (Hinmikaiye & Bamishaiye, 2012 ; Ogunbode et al., 2013 ; Alshahrani, 2020 ; Ghafouri et al., 2022 ). Female nurses reported a significantly higher prevalence of LBP compared with males, corroborating evidence that identifies female gender as a key risk factor for LBP among nurses (Hinmikaiye & Bamishaiye, 2012 ; Nottidge et al., 2019 ). Biological differences, including hormonal influences, reduced intervertebral disc resilience, and age-related connective tissue changes, as well as additional domestic responsibilities, may explain this disparity (Zewudie et al., 2021 ). Ethnicity was not significantly associated with LBP in this study, a finding consistent with reports from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia indicating that ethnic background does not independently predict LBP prevalence among nurses (Alshahrani, 2020 ; Ajayi et al., 2021 ). Marital status and parity showed important associations with LBP. Married nurses and those with three or more children reported higher prevalence rates, supporting earlier studies suggesting that combined occupational and domestic physical demands increase musculoskeletal strain (Hinmikaiye & Bamishaiye, 2012 ; Ogunbode et al., 2013 ; Ajayi et al., 2021 ). Educational status was significantly associated with LBP, with higher prevalence observed among nurses with post-basic qualifications. This may reflect increased clinical responsibilities and workload rather than a protective effect of advanced education (Wang & Sun, 2020 ). 5.3 Lifestyle and ergonomic factors Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with LBP in this study, in agreement with previous findings among healthcare workers (Ajayi et al., 2021 ; Souza et al., 2021). However, this contrasts with other studies that have reported positive associations between these behaviors and LBP (Al-Amer, 2020 ; Ghafouri et al., 2022 ). Workplace ergonomic factors, including body mass index, sitting posture, and chair back support, were not statistically significant predictors of LBP, although higher prevalence rates were observed among nurses exposed to suboptimal ergonomic conditions. This finding differs from studies that reported strong associations between ergonomic risk factors and LBP (Almaghrabi & Alsharif, 2021 ; Gashawbeza & Ezo, 2022 ), suggesting that contextual workplace differences may influence observed outcomes. Exercise was not associated with reduced LBP prevalence in this study, with higher rates reported among nurses who exercised. This counterintuitive finding may reflect improper exercise techniques or lack of structured supervision, as evidence indicates that professionally guided exercise programs are more effective in preventing and managing LBP (Nottidge et al., 2019 ; Chen et al., 2022 ). 5.4 Work-related and psychosocial factors Significant associations were identified between LBP and several work-related factors, including ward posting, years of professional experience, shift duration, bending during work, and engagement in part-time employment . Nurses working longer shifts, particularly 12-hour shifts, demonstrated higher LBP prevalence, consistent with literature linking prolonged work hours to musculoskeletal disorders (Azizpour et al., 2017 ; Ajayi et al., 2021 ). Frequent bending and longer years of service further increased the likelihood of LBP, reflecting cumulative occupational exposure. Engagement in part-time employment was also significantly associated with LBP, possibly due to increased physical workload and psychosocial stress, particularly in low-resource settings where economic pressures necessitate additional employment. Although job satisfaction and workplace stress were not statistically significant predictors, higher LBP prevalence was observed among nurses reporting poor job satisfaction and severe stress. This suggests that psychosocial factors may still contribute to LBP development even in the absence of statistical significance. 5.5 Occupational and functional implications A substantial proportion of respondents reported that LBP adversely affected their work performance, healthcare-seeking behavior, and attendance. These findings are consistent with reports from Nigeria and other regions highlighting the economic and occupational consequences of LBP among nurses, including reduced productivity and absenteeism. Conclusion This study demonstrates a high prevalence of low back pain among nurses working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of LBP, with significant associations involving demographic and occupational factors. The elevated lifetime, annual, and one-week prevalence rates emphasize the need for comprehensive occupational health interventions, including ergonomic improvements, adequate staffing, regulated shift durations, safe patient-handling practices, and supervised exercise programs. Limitation The cross-sectional design limits causal inference and generalizability. Reliance on self-reported data may have introduced reporting bias, particularly regarding psychosocial and workload variables. Additionally, the use of an English-only questionnaire may have reduced inclusivity. Recommendation Integrate structured LBP prevention and management content into nursing curricula in collaboration with physiotherapy departments. Strengthen continuous professional development through targeted workshops on musculoskeletal health. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration to develop individualized rehabilitation and self-management programs. Recruit additional nursing staff and enforce recommended nurse-to-patient ratios. Invest in ergonomic equipment such as electrically adjustable beds and discourage manual lifting practices. Declarations Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate Ethical Clearance Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the Gombe State Ministry of Health, Nigeria (Protocol ID, MOH/ADM/2562/V.X] ). The study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki . Administrative Permissions Prior to data collection, administrative clearance and written permission were obtained from the Gombe State Hospital Management Board (HMB) and the Medical Directors of the participating secondary health institutions of State Specialist Hospital Gombe and Zainab Bulkachuwa women and children hospital in Gombe, North Eastern Nigeria. Informed Consent Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Potential participants were provided with a comprehensive Participant Information Sheet (PIS) available in English, the official medium of nursing instruction in Nigeria detailing the study’s objectives, the nature of their involvement, and the lack of physical risks. Voluntariness: Participants were explicitly informed that their involvement was entirely voluntary. Right to Withdraw: It was clearly stated that they maintained the right to withdraw from the study at any point without providing a reason and without any consequence to their professional standing or employment within the Gombe State Civil Service. Privacy and Confidentiality To maintain anonymity, all data were de-identified. No names or staff identification numbers were recorded on the survey instruments (Work Ability Index or Musculoskeletal Questionnaires). Instead, unique alphanumeric codes were assigned to each participant. All physical records were kept in a locked cabinet, and electronic data were stored in a password-protected database accessible only to the principal investigator. Consent for publication CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION We, the undersigned authors, hereby confirm that: The manuscript identified above has been read and approved by all listed authors. All authors have made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the study, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, drafting or critically revising the manuscript, and have approved the final version for submission. The manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. All participants involved in this study provided written informed consent prior to participation. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained throughout the research process. All authors agree to the publication of this manuscript in the selected BMC journal if accepted following peer review. Any competing interests have been disclosed in the manuscript. Authors Mohammed Dabo Yusuf Suleiman Mohammed Mannir Kassim Adedapo Wasiu Awotidebe Zahraddeen Tahir Muhammad Sulaiman Muhyiddeen Suleiman Bichi Aliyu Musa Muhammad Sani Hashim Abdul Raheem Ibrahim Shola Date: 19/03/2026 On behalf of all co-authors, Corresponding Author : SULEIMAN MOHAMMED Availability of data and materials The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to institutional data protection policies and the need to preserve participant confidentiality, as the data contain potentially identifiable information. However, anonymised data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request and with permission from the relevant institutional ethics committee. Declaration of conflicting interests : no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Competing Interest declaration : There are no Competing Interest. Funding : no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Acknowledgements : I acknowledge all the co-authors contribution to make this research possible Author Contributions Mohammed Dabo Yusuf conceptualized the study under the supervision of Professor Abdul Raheem Ibrahim Shola, Suleiman Mohammed was responsible for drafting the original manuscript. Mannir Kassim, Muhyideen Suleiman Bichi, Adedapo Wasiu Awotidebe, Zahraddeen Tahir, Aliyu Musa, Muhammad Sani Hashim and Muhammad Sulaiman contributed to data resources, software management, and manuscript review and editing. References Abdullah A, Abd Rahman A, Jamil NA. Classification and management of low back pain: an evidence-based approach. Malaysian J Med Sci. 2020;27(2):5–14. 10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.2 . Ahmed S, Shantharam G, Eltayeb S. Prevalence of low back pain in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):775. 10.1186/s12891-021-04661-5 . 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Gender differences in low back pain prevalence. BMC Nurs. 2021;20:147. 10.1186/s12912-021-00654-x . Tables Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of nurses (n = 345) Variable Category Frequency % Age group (years) 18–29 127 36.8 30–49 204 59.1 50–69 14 4.1 Gender Male 103 29.9 Female 242 70.1 Tribe Fulani 102 29.6 Hausa 65 18.8 Tangale 92 26.7 Others 86 24.9 Marital status Single 92 26.7 Married 200 58.0 Divorced 53 15.4 Parity None 113 32.8 1 child 49 14.2 2 children 83 24.1 ≥3 children 100 29.0 Educational level Basic nurse 140 40.6 BSc 96 27.8 Post-basic 109 31.6 Table 1 summarizes the socio-demographic characteristics of nurses working in secondary health institutions in Gombe State. Table 2. Occupational, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain (n = 345) Variable Category Frequency % Smoking Yes 54 15.7 No 291 84.3 Alcohol Yes 68 19.7 No 277 80.3 Medical history of LBP Yes 0 0 No 345 100 Surgical history of LBP Yes 0 0 No 345 100 BMI Underweight 12 3.5 Normal 192 55.7 Overweight 92 26.7 Obese 49 14.2 Exercise Yes 193 55.9 No 152 44.1 Ward posting MMW 39 11.3 MSW 29 8.4 FMW 63 18.3 FSW 16 4.6 PW 20 5.8 O&G 35 10.1 Psychiatric 7 2.0 Operation theatre 13 3.8 OPD 3 0.9 NHIS/Gohealth 16 4.6 ART clinic 16 4.6 Eye clinic 18 5.2 ENT clinic 4 1.2 A&E 66 19.1 Years of experience 1–5 133 38.6 6–10 127 36.8 >10 85 24.6 Shift duration 6 hours 122 35.4 8 hours 185 53.6 12 hours 38 11.0 Most adopted posture Sitting 56 16.2 Standing 206 59.7 Bending 83 24.1 Bending/twisting during work Never 4 1.2 Sometimes 206 59.7 Always 135 39.1 Work in same position ≥2 hrs Never 33 9.6 Sometimes 241 69.9 Always 71 20.6 Lifting >10 kg Yes 238 69.0 No 107 31.0 Request assistance Yes 267 77.4 No 78 22.6 Use of assistive devices Yes 0 0 No 345 100 Part-time job Yes 114 33.0 No 231 67.0 Job type (secondary) Farming 36 10.4 Business 48 13.9 Private practice 30 8.7 Workplace stress 5–15 (calm) 70 20.3 16–20 (fairly low) 81 23.5 21–25 (moderate) 116 33.6 26–30 (severe) 60 17.4 31–40 (dangerous) 18 5.2 Job satisfaction 0–42 (good) 271 78.6 43–64 (moderate) 38 11.0 65–85 (poor) 36 10.4 Table 2 presents nurses’ occupational, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors associated with low back pain. Table 3. Prevalence of low back pain among nurses over the past 12 months (n = 345) Variable Category Frequency % Cumulative lifetime prevalence Yes 268 77.7 No 77 22.3 Annual prevalence 0 days 76 22.0 1–7 days 156 45.2 8–30 days 53 15.4 >30 days 26 7.5 Every day 34 9.9 One-week prevalence Yes 151 43.8 No 194 56.2 Table 3 summarizes the 12-month and one-week prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health institutions in Gombe State. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 27 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 25 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 20 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9182121","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":611932680,"identity":"929e691d-561c-44b5-b040-2b6b7ec011b7","order_by":0,"name":"Mohammed Dabo Yusuf","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"State Specialist Hospital, Gombe","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohammed","middleName":"Dabo","lastName":"Yusuf","suffix":""},{"id":611932681,"identity":"be65beac-df70-4a0e-a4e7-d5b5e6b65310","order_by":1,"name":"Suleiman 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University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mannir","middleName":"","lastName":"Kassim","suffix":""},{"id":611932683,"identity":"b213beff-1018-4161-a65e-da6fd2e01862","order_by":3,"name":"Adedapo Wasiu Awotidebe","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Bayero University, Kano","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adedapo","middleName":"Wasiu","lastName":"Awotidebe","suffix":""},{"id":611932684,"identity":"c99c1fdf-dc19-458c-b2d8-ada553757fd6","order_by":4,"name":"Zahraddeen Tahir","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Usman Danfodio University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zahraddeen","middleName":"","lastName":"Tahir","suffix":""},{"id":611932685,"identity":"1baea6b3-4834-49d8-8f0b-2d03cf5832d3","order_by":5,"name":"Muhammad Sulaiman","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Bayero University, Kano","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"","lastName":"Sulaiman","suffix":""},{"id":611932686,"identity":"21cd8cd8-63bb-498e-b3fc-98552d87705f","order_by":6,"name":"Muhyiddeen Suleiman Bichi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Skyline University Nigeria","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhyiddeen","middleName":"Suleiman","lastName":"Bichi","suffix":""},{"id":611932687,"identity":"06ec323b-455c-4e40-83e2-f62ba23f2dff","order_by":7,"name":"Aliyu Musa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Aliyu","middleName":"","lastName":"Musa","suffix":""},{"id":611932688,"identity":"71f951b2-f3c9-498f-819f-1ba967390391","order_by":8,"name":"Muhammad Sani Hashim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Usman Danfodio University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Sani","lastName":"Hashim","suffix":""},{"id":611932689,"identity":"f67288cc-24c3-41a6-9344-4738cbd4717b","order_by":9,"name":"Abdul Raheem Ibrahim Shola","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Ilorin, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdul","middleName":"Raheem Ibrahim","lastName":"Shola","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-20 22:08:24","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9182121/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9182121/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105566922,"identity":"426285d7-e376-49fb-abfe-c11243ccd729","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-27 12:57:43","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2215360,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9182121/v1/91c1f55d-f700-4867-be03-60971550b068.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003ePain is a subjective sensory and emotional experience that is commonly perceived as unpleasant and often localized to a particular part of the body. According to the World Health Organization, pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage (Ilić et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Functionally, pain serves a protective purpose by eliciting behavioral responses that help prevent further injury to affected tissues (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow back pain (LBP), also referred to as lumbago or lumbosacral pain, is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and is associated with substantial health, social, and economic consequences (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Peng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). It is typically characterized by pain, muscle tension, or stiffness localized between the twelfth rib and the gluteal folds, with or without radiation to one or both lower limbs (Bansal et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Chen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Based on symptom duration, LBP is commonly classified as acute (less than 4 weeks), subacute (4\u0026ndash;12 weeks), or chronic (12 weeks or longer) (Abdullah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Hameed et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlobally, LBP is a leading cause of functional limitation, work absenteeism, and disability, contributing significantly to healthcare expenditure and productivity losses (Wu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). It ranks among the foremost causes of years lived with disability and represents a major contributor to the global disease burden, with estimated annual costs exceeding US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e135\u0026nbsp;billion (Bansal et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Several occupational factors\u0026mdash;including prolonged working hours, overtime duties, poor working posture, manual handling tasks, and shift work\u0026mdash;have been consistently identified as important predictors of LBP (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The economic burden associated with LBP arises from reduced work capacity, absenteeism, loss of income, early retirement, and increased utilization of healthcare services (Huang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), underscoring its significance as a public health concern (Santos et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003ea).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of LBP in the general population varies widely, ranging from approximately 30% to 80%, with a clear increase observed with advancing age (Ahmed et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Annual incidence rates among adults are estimated to range between 10% and 30%, while lifetime prevalence has been reported to reach up to 84%, with nearly one quarter of affected individuals developing chronic LBP (Peng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Evidence from a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that lifetime, annual, and point prevalence rates of LBP in African populations exceed global averages (Ahmed et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, findings from the Global Burden of Disease study revealed a 17.5% increase in years lived with disability attributable to LBP between 2007 and 2017 (Peng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurses are particularly susceptible to LBP due to the physically demanding nature of their profession, which frequently involves patient handling, prolonged standing, repetitive bending, and high workload demands. Despite the well-documented occupational risk of LBP among nurses globally, there remains limited empirical evidence regarding its prevalence and associated risk factors in secondary healthcare settings in northeastern Nigeria. Specifically, data from Gombe State are scarce.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccordingly, the present study aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain and identify associated risk factors among nurses working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. Addressing this evidence gap is expected to clarify the occupational burden of LBP in this population and support the development of evidence-based preventive strategies and workplace interventions to improve nurses\u0026rsquo; health, work ability, and quality of care delivery.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eObjectives\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eGeneral objective\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of low back pain among nurses working in secondary health facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSpecific objectives\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo assess the prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health facilities in Gombe State.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo identify factors associated with low back pain among these nurses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e \u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec2\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Study Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study employed a \u003cb\u003edescriptive cross-sectional design\u003c/b\u003e with a \u003cb\u003equantitative approach\u003c/b\u003e to data collection to determine the prevalence of low back pain and associated risk factors among nurses working in secondary health facilities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Study Setting\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in \u003cb\u003eGombe State\u003c/b\u003e, located in northeastern Nigeria. The northeastern region comprises six states\u0026mdash;Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe\u0026mdash;and occupies approximately one-third of Nigeria\u0026rsquo;s landmass, with an estimated population of 23.6\u0026nbsp;million (about 13.5% of the national population as of 2011).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGombe State, popularly referred to as the \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Jewel in the Savannah,\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e has a land area of approximately \u003cb\u003e17,100 km\u0026sup2;\u003c/b\u003e and was created on \u003cb\u003e1 October 1996\u003c/b\u003e from the former Bauchi State. It is bordered by Yobe State to the north, Borno and Adamawa States to the east, Bauchi State to the west, and Taraba State to the south. Administratively, the state is divided into \u003cb\u003e11 local government areas\u003c/b\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe state has an estimated \u003cb\u003e4,320 healthcare professionals\u003c/b\u003e distributed across \u003cb\u003e579 health facilities\u003c/b\u003e. The study was carried out in two major public secondary health institutions: the \u003cb\u003eState Specialist Hospital\u003c/b\u003e and the \u003cb\u003eZainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital\u003c/b\u003e, which have bed capacities of approximately \u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e150\u003c/b\u003e, respectively. These facilities employ an estimated \u003cb\u003e300\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e100 nurses and midwives\u003c/b\u003e, who constituted the source population for this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Study Population\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study population consisted of \u003cb\u003eregistered nurses working in secondary health facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria\u003c/b\u003e at the time of data collection.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Sample Size Determination\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe sample size was determined using \u003cb\u003eFisher\u0026rsquo;s formula\u003c/b\u003e, as described by Nottidge et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Based on this calculation, a total of \u003cb\u003e341 nurses\u003c/b\u003e who met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5 Sampling Technique\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA \u003cb\u003econvenience sampling technique\u003c/b\u003e was used to recruit participants. Nurses who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily provided informed consent were enrolled in the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.6 Data Collection Instruments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were collected using a \u003cb\u003emodified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)\u003c/b\u003e, adapted from previous studies that assessed the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in different populations. The questionnaire consisted of three sections:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSection I\u003c/b\u003e: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSection II\u003c/b\u003e: Risk factors for low back pain, including medical and surgical history and work-related postures that may exacerbate LBP.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSection III\u003c/b\u003e: Psychosocial factors, incorporating standardized instruments assessing job stress and job satisfaction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdditional work-related risk factors, such as \u003cb\u003einadequate nursing staff\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003emanual patient handling\u003c/b\u003e, were also assessed, in line with previous literature (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003e12-month prevalence of low back pain\u003c/b\u003e was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Hinmikaiye \u0026amp; Bamishaiye, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Psychosocial risk factors were evaluated using the \u003cb\u003eNursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire (NWSQ)\u003c/b\u003e (Foster et al., 2018) and the \u003cb\u003eWorkplace Stress Scale\u003c/b\u003e (Hasting, 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.7 Data Collection Procedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter obtaining ethical approval, eligible participants were approached at their workplaces. The purpose of the study was explained, and written informed consent was obtained prior to questionnaire administration. Participants completed the questionnaires anonymously.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.8 Statistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompleted questionnaires were entered into \u003cb\u003eMicrosoft Excel\u003c/b\u003e for data cleaning and management. Data were coded, transformed into relevant variables, and checked to avoid duplicate entries. The cleaned dataset was then imported into the \u003cb\u003eStatistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21\u003c/b\u003e for analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDescriptive statistics\u003c/b\u003e, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize socio-demographic characteristics and the prevalence of low back pain. \u003cb\u003eChi-square tests\u003c/b\u003e were applied to examine associations between low back pain and socio-demographic, medical, work-related, and psychosocial factors. Statistical significance was set at \u003cb\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/b\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.9 Ethical Considerations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthical approval was obtained from the \u003cb\u003eEthical Review Committee of the Gombe State Ministry of Health\u003c/b\u003e. Participants were fully informed about the study objectives, and participation was voluntary. Confidentiality, anonymity, and the principles of non-maleficence were strictly maintained throughout the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA total of \u003cstrong\u003e345 nurses\u003c/strong\u003e from the State Specialist Hospital and Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital in Gombe State participated in the study. Their socio-demographic characteristics are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMost respondents were aged \u003cstrong\u003e30\u0026ndash;49 years\u003c/strong\u003e (204, 59.1%), followed by those aged \u003cstrong\u003e18\u0026ndash;29 years\u003c/strong\u003e (127, 36.8%). Females constituted the majority of participants (242, 70.1%), and more than half were \u003cstrong\u003emarried\u003c/strong\u003e (200, 58.0%). With respect to ethnicity, \u003cstrong\u003eFulani\u003c/strong\u003e nurses represented the largest proportion (102, 29.6%), followed by Tangale (92, 26.7%) and Hausa (65, 18.8%).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRegarding parity, 113 respondents (32.8%) reported having no children, while 100 (29.0%) had three or more children. In terms of educational attainment, \u003cstrong\u003ebasic nursing qualification\u003c/strong\u003e was the most common (140, 40.6%), followed by post-basic nursing certificates (109, 31.6%). Only 96 respondents (27.8%) held a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree in nursing, and none reported postgraduate qualifications.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Exposure to potential risk factors for low back pain\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe distribution of respondents according to exposure to potential risk factors for low back pain is summarized in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMost respondents reported \u003cstrong\u003eno history of cigarette smoking\u003c/strong\u003e (291, 84.3%) or alcohol consumption (277, 80.3%). None of the participants reported a prior \u003cstrong\u003emedical or surgical history of low back pain\u003c/strong\u003e. More than half of the respondents had a \u003cstrong\u003enormal body mass index\u003c/strong\u003e (192, 55.7%), while 92 (26.7%) were overweight and 49 (14.2%) were obese. Physical exercise was reported by 93 nurses (55.9%).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith respect to work-related characteristics, the highest proportion of nurses were posted to the \u003cstrong\u003eaccident and emergency (A\u0026amp;E) unit\u003c/strong\u003e (66, 19.1%), followed by female medical wards (63, 18.3%). Most respondents had \u003cstrong\u003e1\u0026ndash;5 years\u003c/strong\u003e (133, 38.6%) or \u003cstrong\u003e6\u0026ndash;10 years\u003c/strong\u003e (127, 36.8%) of working experience. During shifts, 146 nurses (42.3%) worked with \u003cstrong\u003ethree to four nurses\u003c/strong\u003e, while 111 (32.2%) worked with one to two nurses.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than half of the respondents worked \u003cstrong\u003eeight-hour shifts\u003c/strong\u003e (185, 53.6%), and 38 (11.0%) reported working 12-hour shifts. Standing was the most frequently adopted working posture (206, 59.7%), followed by bending (83, 24.1%). A large proportion of respondents reported \u003cstrong\u003esometimes bending or twisting during work\u003c/strong\u003e (206, 59.7%), while 135 (39.1%) reported doing so always. Working in the same position for at least two hours was reported by 71 nurses (20.6%).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eManual handling of loads exceeding \u003cstrong\u003e10 kg\u003c/strong\u003e was reported by 238 respondents (69.0%). Although most nurses reported requesting assistance during work (267, 77.4%), none indicated the use of \u003cstrong\u003eassistive devices\u003c/strong\u003e such as bed remote controls. Most respondents used chairs with backrests (202, 59.6%), and 231 (67.0%) did not engage in part-time employment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e4.3 Psychosocial factors\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePsychosocial characteristics of respondents are also presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Using the Workplace Stress Scale, \u003cstrong\u003emoderate stress levels\u003c/strong\u003e were reported by 116 nurses (33.6%), while 60 (17.4%) experienced severe stress and 18 (5.2%) reported stress levels classified as dangerous.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJob satisfaction, assessed using the Nursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire, showed that the majority of respondents reported \u003cstrong\u003egood job satisfaction\u003c/strong\u003e (271, 78.6%). Moderate job satisfaction was reported by 38 nurses (11.0%), while 36 (10.4%) reported poor job satisfaction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e4.4 Prevalence of low back pain\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of low back pain among respondents is presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ecumulative lifetime prevalence\u003c/strong\u003e of low back pain was \u003cstrong\u003e77.7%\u003c/strong\u003e (268 respondents). Regarding annual prevalence, 156 nurses (45.2%) reported experiencing low back pain for \u003cstrong\u003e1\u0026ndash;7 days\u003c/strong\u003e during the previous 12 months, while 34 (9.9%) reported experiencing low back pain \u003cstrong\u003edaily\u003c/strong\u003e over the same period.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eone-week prevalence\u003c/strong\u003e of low back pain was \u003cstrong\u003e43.8%\u003c/strong\u003e (151 respondents), while 194 nurses (56.2%) reported no low back pain during the seven days preceding the survey.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.1 Principal findings\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrated a \u003cb\u003ehigh burden of low back pain (LBP)\u003c/b\u003e among nurses working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. The findings indicate that LBP among nurses is a multifactorial condition influenced by \u003cb\u003edemographic characteristics, work-related physical demands, and occupational conditions\u003c/b\u003e inherent in nursing practice. The observed cumulative lifetime prevalence (77.7%), annual prevalence (78%), and one-week prevalence (43.8%) underscore the magnitude of LBP as a major occupational health problem in this population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.2 Demographic factors associated with low back pain\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge was significantly associated with LBP, with the highest prevalence observed among nurses aged \u003cb\u003e30\u0026ndash;49 years\u003c/b\u003e. This finding is consistent with previous studies reporting increased vulnerability to LBP during mid-adulthood, likely due to cumulative occupational exposure and age-related musculoskeletal changes (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Sachdev \u0026amp; Chughani, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Similar age-related trends have been reported among nurses in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran (Hinmikaiye \u0026amp; Bamishaiye, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Ogunbode et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Alshahrani, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Ghafouri et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale nurses reported a significantly higher prevalence of LBP compared with males, corroborating evidence that identifies female gender as a key risk factor for LBP among nurses (Hinmikaiye \u0026amp; Bamishaiye, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Nottidge et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Biological differences, including hormonal influences, reduced intervertebral disc resilience, and age-related connective tissue changes, as well as additional domestic responsibilities, may explain this disparity (Zewudie et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthnicity was not significantly associated with LBP in this study, a finding consistent with reports from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia indicating that ethnic background does not independently predict LBP prevalence among nurses (Alshahrani, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Ajayi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarital status and parity showed important associations with LBP. Married nurses and those with three or more children reported higher prevalence rates, supporting earlier studies suggesting that combined occupational and domestic physical demands increase musculoskeletal strain (Hinmikaiye \u0026amp; Bamishaiye, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Ogunbode et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Ajayi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducational status was significantly associated with LBP, with higher prevalence observed among nurses with post-basic qualifications. This may reflect increased clinical responsibilities and workload rather than a protective effect of advanced education (Wang \u0026amp; Sun, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.3 Lifestyle and ergonomic factors\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with LBP in this study, in agreement with previous findings among healthcare workers (Ajayi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Souza et al., 2021). However, this contrasts with other studies that have reported positive associations between these behaviors and LBP (Al-Amer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Ghafouri et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorkplace ergonomic factors, including body mass index, sitting posture, and chair back support, were not statistically significant predictors of LBP, although higher prevalence rates were observed among nurses exposed to suboptimal ergonomic conditions. This finding differs from studies that reported strong associations between ergonomic risk factors and LBP (Almaghrabi \u0026amp; Alsharif, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Gashawbeza \u0026amp; Ezo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), suggesting that contextual workplace differences may influence observed outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExercise was not associated with reduced LBP prevalence in this study, with higher rates reported among nurses who exercised. This counterintuitive finding may reflect improper exercise techniques or lack of structured supervision, as evidence indicates that professionally guided exercise programs are more effective in preventing and managing LBP (Nottidge et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Chen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.4 Work-related and psychosocial factors\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificant associations were identified between LBP and several work-related factors, including \u003cb\u003eward posting, years of professional experience, shift duration, bending during work, and engagement in part-time employment\u003c/b\u003e. Nurses working longer shifts, particularly 12-hour shifts, demonstrated higher LBP prevalence, consistent with literature linking prolonged work hours to musculoskeletal disorders (Azizpour et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Ajayi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Frequent bending and longer years of service further increased the likelihood of LBP, reflecting cumulative occupational exposure.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEngagement in part-time employment was also significantly associated with LBP, possibly due to increased physical workload and psychosocial stress, particularly in low-resource settings where economic pressures necessitate additional employment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough job satisfaction and workplace stress were not statistically significant predictors, higher LBP prevalence was observed among nurses reporting poor job satisfaction and severe stress. This suggests that psychosocial factors may still contribute to LBP development even in the absence of statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.5 Occupational and functional implications\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA substantial proportion of respondents reported that LBP adversely affected their work performance, healthcare-seeking behavior, and attendance. These findings are consistent with reports from Nigeria and other regions highlighting the economic and occupational consequences of LBP among nurses, including reduced productivity and absenteeism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrates a \u003cb\u003ehigh prevalence of low back pain among nurses\u003c/b\u003e working in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, Nigeria. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of LBP, with significant associations involving demographic and occupational factors. The elevated lifetime, annual, and one-week prevalence rates emphasize the need for comprehensive occupational health interventions, including ergonomic improvements, adequate staffing, regulated shift durations, safe patient-handling practices, and supervised exercise programs.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Limitation","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe cross-sectional design limits causal inference and generalizability. Reliance on self-reported data may have introduced reporting bias, particularly regarding psychosocial and workload variables. Additionally, the use of an English-only questionnaire may have reduced inclusivity.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Recommendation","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntegrate structured LBP prevention and management content into nursing curricula in collaboration with physiotherapy departments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eStrengthen continuous professional development through targeted workshops on musculoskeletal health.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003ePromote interdisciplinary collaboration to develop individualized rehabilitation and self-management programs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecruit additional nursing staff and enforce recommended nurse-to-patient ratios.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvest in ergonomic equipment such as electrically adjustable beds and discourage manual lifting practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval and Consent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Clearance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval for this study was obtained from the \u003cstrong\u003eHealth Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the Gombe State Ministry of Health, Nigeria (Protocol ID, MOH/ADM/2562/V.X]\u003c/strong\u003e). The study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects as outlined in the \u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of Helsinki\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdministrative Permissions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to data collection, administrative clearance and written permission were obtained from the \u003cstrong\u003eGombe State Hospital Management Board (HMB)\u003c/strong\u003e and the Medical Directors of the participating secondary health institutions of State Specialist Hospital Gombe and Zainab Bulkachuwa women and children hospital in Gombe, North Eastern Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformed Consent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten informed consent was obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Potential participants were provided with a comprehensive \u003cstrong\u003eParticipant Information Sheet (PIS)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eavailable in English, the official medium of nursing instruction in Nigeria detailing the study\u0026rsquo;s objectives, the nature of their involvement, and the lack of physical risks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVoluntariness:\u003c/strong\u003e Participants were explicitly informed that their involvement was entirely voluntary.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRight to Withdraw:\u003c/strong\u003e It was clearly stated that they maintained the right to withdraw from the study at any point without providing a reason and without any consequence to their professional standing or employment within the Gombe State Civil Service.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrivacy and Confidentiality\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo maintain anonymity, all data were de-identified. No names or staff identification numbers were recorded on the survey instruments (Work Ability Index or Musculoskeletal Questionnaires). Instead, unique alphanumeric codes were assigned to each participant. All physical records were kept in a locked cabinet, and electronic data were stored in a password-protected database accessible only to the principal investigator.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCONSENT FOR PUBLICATION\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, the undersigned authors, hereby confirm that:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\" type=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe manuscript identified above has been read and approved by all listed authors.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAll authors have made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the study, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, drafting or critically revising the manuscript, and have approved the final version for submission.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAll participants involved in this study provided written informed consent prior to participation. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained throughout the research process.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAll authors agree to the publication of this manuscript in the selected BMC journal if accepted following peer review.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAny competing interests have been disclosed in the manuscript.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMohammed Dabo Yusuf\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuleiman Mohammed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMannir Kassim\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdedapo Wasiu Awotidebe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZahraddeen Tahir\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuhammad Sulaiman\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuhyiddeen Suleiman Bichi\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAliyu Musa\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuhammad Sani Hashim\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbdul Raheem Ibrahim Shola\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: 19/03/2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn behalf of all co-authors,\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;Corresponding Author : SULEIMAN MOHAMMED\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to institutional data protection policies and the need to preserve participant confidentiality, as the data contain potentially identifiable information. However, anonymised data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request and with permission from the relevant institutional ethics committee.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of conflicting interests\u003c/strong\u003e: no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interest declaration\u003c/strong\u003e: There are no Competing Interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e: no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e: I acknowledge all the co-authors contribution to make this research possible\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMohammed Dabo Yusuf conceptualized the study under the supervision of Professor Abdul Raheem Ibrahim Shola, Suleiman Mohammed was responsible for drafting the original manuscript. Mannir Kassim, Muhyideen Suleiman Bichi, Adedapo Wasiu Awotidebe, Zahraddeen Tahir, \u0026nbsp;Aliyu Musa, Muhammad Sani Hashim and Muhammad Sulaiman contributed to data resources, software management, and manuscript review and editing.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbdullah A, Abd Rahman A, Jamil NA. Classification and management of low back pain: an evidence-based approach. Malaysian J Med Sci. 2020;27(2):5\u0026ndash;14. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.2\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.2\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhmed S, Shantharam G, Eltayeb S. Prevalence of low back pain in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 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BMC Nurs. 2021;20:147. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1186/s12912-021-00654-x\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s12912-021-00654-x\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of nurses (n = 345)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge group (years)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e204\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50\u0026ndash;69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGender\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e103\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e242\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTribe\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFulani\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHausa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTangale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e58.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 child\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 children\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;3 children\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBasic nurse\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e140\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBSc\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-basic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e109\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 summarizes the socio-demographic characteristics of nurses working in secondary health institutions in Gombe State.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2. Occupational, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain (n = 345)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmoking\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e291\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e277\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedical history of LBP\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e345\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSurgical history of LBP\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e345\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBMI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnderweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e192\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOverweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eObese\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExercise\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e193\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e152\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWard posting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMMW\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMSW\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFMW\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFSW\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePW\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eO\u0026amp;G\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePsychiatric\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOperation theatre\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOPD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNHIS/Gohealth\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eART clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEye clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eENT clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA\u0026amp;E\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYears of experience\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShift duration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e185\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMost adopted posture\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSitting\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStanding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e206\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBending\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBending/twisting during work\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSometimes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e206\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlways\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e135\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWork in same position \u0026ge;2 hrs\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSometimes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e241\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlways\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifting \u0026gt;10 kg \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e238\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequest assistance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e267\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse of assistive devices\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e345\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart-time job\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e114\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e231\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJob type (secondary)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarming\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBusiness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrivate practice\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorkplace stress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;15 (calm)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u0026ndash;20 (fairly low)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u0026ndash;25 (moderate)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26\u0026ndash;30 (severe)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u0026ndash;40 (dangerous)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJob satisfaction\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;42 (good)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e271\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43\u0026ndash;64 (moderate)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65\u0026ndash;85 (poor)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2 presents nurses\u0026rsquo; occupational, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors associated with low back pain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3. Prevalence of low back pain among nurses over the past 12 months (n = 345)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Category\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Frequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCumulative lifetime prevalence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;268\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;No\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnnual prevalence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0 days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1\u0026ndash;7 days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;156\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;8\u0026ndash;30 days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026gt;30 days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Every day\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne-week prevalence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 151\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;No\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 194\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3 summarizes the 12-month and one-week prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health institutions in Gombe State.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-nursing","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"nurs","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Nursing](http://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/nurs/default.aspx","title":"BMC Nursing","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Low back pain, Nurses, Prevalence, Risk factors","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9182121/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9182121/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow back pain (LBP) is a major occupational health problem among nurses and contributes substantially to functional limitation, work absenteeism, and reduced quality of life. Evidence on the burden of LBP among nurses in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in secondary healthcare settings, remains limited.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in secondary health institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria. Using Fisher\u0026rsquo;s formula, 341 eligible nurses were recruited. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire incorporating the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to ascertain LBP and validated instruments to assess occupational and psychosocial risk factors. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence and participant characteristics, while chi-square tests examined associations between LBP and potential risk factors at a 5% significance level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf 375 questionnaires distributed, 345 were returned (response rate: 99%). The 12-month prevalence of LBP was 77.7%, while the 7-day prevalence was 43.8%. More than three-quarters of respondents reported activity limitation due to LBP. Significant associations were observed between LBP and age, gender, marital status, educational level, ward posting, years of experience, shift duration, bending during work, and part-time employment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow back pain is highly prevalent among nurses in secondary healthcare facilities in Gombe State. Occupational demands, particularly heavy workload, prolonged shifts, and patient handling, are key contributors. Targeted ergonomic interventions, adequate staffing, and workplace health programs are urgently needed.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Prevalence of low back pain among nurses in secondary health institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-27 04:21:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9182121/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-03-27T19:38:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T10:21:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T10:21:35+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Nursing","date":"2026-03-20T21:50:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-nursing","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"nurs","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Nursing](http://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/nurs/default.aspx","title":"BMC Nursing","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"31aed0f5-a752-4fc2-a27b-b5af8526a9f9","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 27th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-01T19:08:24+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-27 04:21:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9182121","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9182121","identity":"rs-9182121","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}