Abstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to identify the actual situations of low back pain (LBP) prevention in special nursing homes and clarify problem cognition for LBP in care workers on manager side. Method: Interviews were conducted for the persons in charge of caring at 13 special nursing homes in September to November 2005. Results: Of the 13 facilities, 9 were found to have problem cognition for LBP in care workers. At most facilities, seminars or guidance programs focusing on nursing-care methods and body mechanics were provided for care workers. It was said that improvements in nursing-care methods that aim to increase safety for facility users consequently led to prevent LBP. Both the facilities that do not have care workers with LBP and problem cognition and other facilities that have those provide the same prevention programs. However few of the facilities had enough caring spaces and utility spaces for care workers. Ten of the 13 facilities identified lack of time as an obstacle to prevent LBP. Conclusion: The present results suggest that although care workers do not directly act to prevent LBP, improvements in nursing-care methods that aim to increase safety for facility users consequently ease physical load and prevent LBP in care workers. In addition to that, it is suggested that the maintenance of working environment and health care-safety system is needed.
