BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common work-related musculoskeletal problem among healthcare workers including nurses. Awkward trunk postures have been recognized as one common problem in this group OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were

Background: In the face of COVID-19, healthcare workers need to cope with the ongoing stressors at play and keep psychological distress at a minimum level. This study examined the psychosocial and demographic factors associated with nurse's resilience in the hospitals of Ahvaz that is one of the top cities infected with COVID-19 in Iran.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 387 Iranian nurses in Ahvaz city. For data collection purposes, three online questionnaires (including Copenhagen Psychosocial, Demographic, and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale) were distributed among the participants.Results: The mean resilience score was equal to 61.8 ± 14.8 for 387 nurses. Resilience had a statistically significant negative correlation with quantitative demand (r = −0.273, P < 0.008), work pace (r = −0.262, P < 0.011), emotional demand (r = −0.226, P < 0.030), stress (r = −0.458, P < 0.000), and burnout (r = −0.287, P < 0.005). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that stress, job satisfaction, burnout and age were the main predictors of nurses' resilience during the (COVID-19) pandemic (R² = 0.45).Conclusions: We identified psychosocial and demographic predictive factors that may contribute to greater resilience among nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings of this study can be used to implement psychosocial interventions to amplify the resilience of medical staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The limited research has focused on the relationship between work-related stress and self-efficacy in relation to mental health problems in nurses. OBJECTIVE: This multi-hospital cross-sectional survey investigated the relationships between work-related stress, self-efficacy and mental health status of hospital nurses in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: Four hundred hospital nurses completed a questionnaire including demographic and job details, Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards Revised Indicator Tool (MS–RIT), General Self-Efficacy (GSE–10) scale, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–28). A three-step hierarchical logistic regression modelling was used. RESULTS: Work-related stress, self-efficacy and mental health problems were significantly related to each other. The results of the regression modelling revealed that working overtime and number of patients cared for were significant positive predictors, while job tenure as well as control and relationships dimensions of work stress were significant negative predictors of mental health problems, with the final model explaining 21% of the variance in the outcome measure. Addition of self-efficacy at step 3 did not result in a significant change in the variance from previous steps. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide further support for stress prevention strategies focused at the job (e.g., better organisation of work demands) and organisational (e.g., improving employee participation and involvement in work) levels.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the physical workload on the back, neck and shoulders of welders. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was assessed using the Nordic questionnaire among 15 welders. The physical workload of the neck, back and upper arms was then measured by means of inclinometry as the welders were working. The results revealed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders during the previous 12 months was in the lower back and shoulders. The median trunk and neck flexion were significantly associated with back and neck pain in welders with symptoms during the past year (p < 0.05). Physical exposure in welders with pain was characterized by significantly more awkward postures and percentage of time spent with the trunk and neck flexed more than 20°. The nature of their work and the design of their workstations may be causes of the symptoms they experienced during work.