Prevalence and associated factors of foot and ankle pain among nurses at a university hospital in Japan: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to clarify 1) the prevalence of foot and ankle pain and 2) the factors associated with foot and ankle pain among nurses. METHODS: Nurses working at a university hospital in Japan were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. The occurrence of foot and ankle pain in the previous month was assessed by using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index. Subjects also answered questions on footwear-related factors, including using the visual analog scale for shoe comfort. In addition, information on personal factors and psychosocial factors was collected using the Job Content Questionnaire. The relationships between the presence of foot and ankle pain and the associated factors were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Responses of 636 nurses (response rate, 67%) were included for analysis. The prevalence of foot and ankle pain was 23% and 51% when using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index, respectively. The prevalence of pain that prevented the nurses from performing activities of daily living and work was 4% and 17%, respectively. A low level of shoe comfort, personal factors (age and body mass index), and psychosocial factors (low job control and high job strain) was independently associated with the presence of foot and ankle pain. CONCLUSIONS: Foot and ankle pain occurred frequently in nurses. Shoe comfort, personal factors, and psychosocial factors were associated with foot and ankle pain.