Attached
Objectives: To assess the levels of knowledge, favorable attitudes and desirable practices related to work
ergonomics among nurses in four, selected hospitals in Colombo district
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in four selected hospitals in Colombo district using pretested,
self-administered questionnaire among 862 female nurses to ascertain data related to work ergonomics. Sample was
randomly selected according to nurses’ ratio in each hospital. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using
SPSS statistical software (version 16). Knowledge levels were calculated using standard criteria. Favorable attitudes
and desirable practices were determined based on the mean scores.
Results: Response rate was 70% (n=603) and mean age of the nurses was 34.6(+SD=8.3). Only 4.4% had university
degrees. The overall knowledge of the nurses (46.6%) on work related ergonomic was moderate, and the proportion
of nurses who had good knowledge on work ergonomics was 0 (0%). The majority of the nurses had unfavourable
attitudes towards work ergonomics. Among fourteen statements that reflect attitudes, only four statements were
marked in favour of work ergonomics. Nurses marked their practices in frequencies. Of the 12 statements related to
. hursing activities attributed to work ergonomics, majority of participants carried out undesirable practices in seven
and desirable practices in five.
Conclusions: Knowledge, attitudes and practices were not favourable to hospital work ergonomics in the study
population. Since hospital work ergonomics is one of the major determinant of work related health problems and
occupational health, steps should be taken to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices related to work ergonomics
among nurses.
