Multifaceted ergonomics interventions to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses at intermediate hospitals in Namibia: a qualitative study

Introduction Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are prevalent among nurses globally, varying across regions and body areas. They pose a significant occupational health burden due to physical workload, psychosocial stressors, and poor ergonomic conditions. In Namibia, particularly in intermediate hospitals such as Katutura, Onandjokwe, Oshakati, and Rundu, nurses work under resource constraints, including staffing shortages, high patient loads, and limited ergonomic support, which may worsen WRMSDs. However, evidence on multifactorial ergonomic interventions remains limited. This study explored interventions to prevent WRMSDs among nurses. Methods A qualitative exploratory descriptive study was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling among 56 nurses and 1 Occupational Health and Safety key informant from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Data were collected using semi-structured interview guides and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 23. The study followed a systematic qualitative rigor framework to ensure credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of findings. Results Participants identified key interventions including promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle, training, adequate staffing, pre-employment screening, improved management approaches, and hazard identification. These interventions reflect an interaction between individual, organizational, and system-level determinants of occupational health, highlighting the multifactorial nature of WRMSDs prevention. Conclusion Multifaceted ergonomic interventions tailored to the Namibian healthcare context are necessary to address the complex and interrelated risk factors contributing to WRMSDs among nurses. The Ministry of Health and Social Services should prioritize implementation of these interventions. Further studies, including quantitative, mixed-methods, and comparative designs, are recommended to strengthen evidence across similar resource-constrained healthcare settings.