Low back pain resulting in temporary incapacity leave among South African nurses in the public health sector

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Low back pain (LBP) is a common work-related condition worldwide, with nurses being particularly susceptible. Information is limited regarding extended sick leave usage (also called temporary incapacity leave) by nurses due to LBP. OBJECTIVES : The purpose of this study was to describe LBP that caused temporary incapacity leave among South African nurses in the public health sector, as submitted to a health risk management company from 2007 to 2009. METHODS : The nurses’ temporary incapacity leave applications were reviewed, and a profile of nurses with LBP was constructed. The period prevalence and percentage of applications for ill-health retirement due to LBP were determined. RESULTS : The 54 nurses who applied for temporary incapacity leave were all female, with a median age of 48 years (range 26-63 years). During the study period, 29 427 nurses were employed. The period prevalence of LBP was 0.18%; the highest prevalence was in the age group 60-69 years (0.74%). Five (9.3%) of the 54 nurses also applied for ill-health retirement. CONCLUSION : LBP is a cause of extended sick leave utilisation among nurses in the public health sector. Active involvement of occupational health services can help to minimise the effect of LBP on temporary incapacity leave utilisation, and prevent LBP from becoming a chronic condition. Further research should include all healthcare workers in order to get a more comprehensive view of LBP resulting in temporary incapacity leave utilisation. By identifying risk factors, corrective actions can be implemented to reduce the prevalence of acute and chronic LBP.