A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF LOW-BACK-PAIN IN STUDENT NURSES

Results from a longitudinal study of low back pain in 199 student nurs es followed up for 20 months show that 37% reported back pain which la sted for at least 3 consecutive days. The first incidence peaked marke dly between 9 and 12 months into training, and coincided with work on wards described by the nurses as ''heavy''. A combination of personal characteristics are also associated with back pain reports, within thi s group of nurses. These include attitudes to health as measured by th e Health Locus of Control, low levels of trait anxiety, increased neur oticism, and emotional disturbance as measured by the General Health Q uestionnaire, the strength endurance of the thigh muscles (quadriceps) , and height. Recommendations are made for (1) the consideration of a modified training programme for lifting and handling; and (2) the need for a standardized system of recording back problem's as suggested by the DHSS-commissioned Robens Institute (University of Surrey) Report.