P-419 the Occupational Factors Influencing Physical Well-Being in Nurses: A Semi-Quantitative Approach

Abstract Introduction The well-being of nurses is crucial for their effectiveness in providing quality patient care. This study aims to assess the various occupational factors influencing the physical well-being of nurses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2015 to assess nurses’ physical well-being in Monastir and Mahdia University hospitals. Ergonomic data were collected through intermittent 15-second observations during a 2-hour period. The data included work classification, communication, patient autonomy, weight, and posture. A custom Excel platform was used for data encoding and semiquantitative analysis. Results Older women engaged more in administrative tasks compared to other groups (p=0.01), while younger men were more involved in patients’ care activities such as dressing and handling (p=0.04). Nursing work mainly occurred in a standing posture (p=0.02) with no significant age-related influence on postures. However, it was noted that women were more likely to adopt a seating posture (p=0.02), while men were more inclined to maintain a standing upright posture (p10-3). A large proportion (78.2%) of nurses reported the need to work quickly (p=0.001), and a substantial percentage (89.1%) felt the job demanded intense work (p=0.001). Discussion Age, gender norms, individual preferences, workplace culture, and patient care demands contribute to the observed differences in nurses’ tasks and postures. The perception of high demands arises from the need to work quickly and intensively to ensure timely and optimal patient care. Conclusion These findings can be valuable in understanding the occupational challenges nurses face and may help design interventions to improve their well-being and working conditions.