The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.
Workplace Health Saf. 2023 Jun;71(6):282-295. doi: 10.1177/21650799231154282. Epub 2023 Mar 29.
Female nurses are a high-risk group for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Predictors of female nurses' PFD among work-related factors are not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PFD and its association with workplace conditions among female nurses in China.
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021. A sample of 380 registered nurses working in six tertiary hospitals in Nanjing, China participated. Data on individual characteristics, work-related factors, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 were used.
The overall prevalence of PFD among nurses was 83.9%, with 43.9% of participants experiencing pelvic organ prolapse, 66.6% experiencing anorectal dysfunction and 60.5% experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms. In terms of work-related factors, PFD was associated with heavy lifting, pushing, and carrying at work, delayed toileting at work and fluid intake. Female nurses with PFD reported lower quality of life (QoL) relative to nurses without PFD.
CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Our findings provide initial insights into workplace conditions that promote PFD among female nurses. Occupational health nurses should consider providing educational information for female workers who are potentially at risk for PFD and consider integrating screening of PFD into practice.
女性护士是盆底功能障碍（PFD）的高危人群。与工作相关因素有关的女性护士 PFD 的预测因素尚不清楚。本研究旨在调查中国女性护士 PFD 的患病率及其与工作场所条件的关系。
2021 年 5 月进行了在线横断面调查。来自中国南京六家三级医院的 380 名注册护士参加了这项研究。研究数据包括个人特征、工作相关因素、盆腔底部窘迫量表 20 项和盆腔底部影响问卷 7 项。
护士中 PFD 的总体患病率为 83.9%，其中 43.9%的参与者出现盆腔器官脱垂，66.6%的参与者出现肛肠功能障碍，60.5%的参与者出现下尿路症状。在工作相关因素方面，PFD 与工作中重物搬运、推挤和携带、工作中延迟上厕所和液体摄入有关。患有 PFD 的女性护士的生活质量（QoL）较没有 PFD 的护士低。
结论/对实践的应用：我们的研究结果初步揭示了促进女性护士 PFD 的工作场所条件。职业健康护士应为有潜在 PFD 风险的女性工作人员提供教育信息，并考虑将 PFD 筛查纳入实践。
