AI Insight
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies involving 5,982 nurses in Ethiopia found that 61.47% of nurses experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Female gender, job stress, prolonged standing, and five or more years of work experience were identified as significant risk factors associated with increased likelihood of developing WMSDs. The prevalence rate is considerably high compared to general occupational health standards.
Why it matters
These findings highlight a critical occupational health issue affecting the majority of Ethiopian nurses, suggesting urgent need for workplace interventions including ergonomic training, stress management programs, and supportive management practices. The research provides evidence-based guidance for healthcare administrators to implement targeted prevention strategies, particularly for vulnerable groups like female nurses and those with longer work experience.
Understand the Science
by Abel Desalegn Demeke, Abraham Dessie Gessesse, Etaferaw Bekele Auddo, Takla Tamir, Alem Bayable, Ababo Demeke
Background
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the most prevalent work-related disorders affecting individuals across all age groups and professions. Nurses are highly vulnerable due to the nature of their professional duties. However, no comprehensive meta-analysis has been done on the prevalence of WMSDs among nurses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide the pooled prevalence and associated factors of WMSDs among nurses in Ethiopia.
Methods
This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251136383). To retrieve relevant studies, various electronic databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, HINARI, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 14, 2025. The Joana Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool was used for literature quality assessment. The necessary data were extracted and analyzed with STATA 17. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence of WMSDs and associated factors while also evaluating heterogeneity and publication bias. Furthermore, a nonparametric trim and fill analysis and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were conducted.
Results
A total of sixteen studies containing 5982 nurses were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of WMSDs among nurses in Ethiopia was 61.47% (95% CI: 55.08–67.87). Being female (PAOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.08–1.75), job stress (PAOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.34–2.56), prolonged standing (PAOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.29–2.66), and work experience (≥ 5 years) (PAOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.08–2.31) were factors significantly associated with WMSDs.
Conclusion
WMSDs among nurses in Ethiopia are considerably high. The finding of our study may warrant attention in workplace risk management such as supportive management and ergonomic training and education, especially for female nurses and those with work experience (≥ 5 years). However, job stress and prolonged standing factors should be interpreted cautiously due to the substantial variability of covariates observed across studies.