http://www.journalofnursingstudies.

com/article/S0020-7489%2813%2900037-0/abstract
Chiou, S.; Chiang, J.; Huang, N.; Wu, C.; Chien, L., Health issues among nurses in
Taiwanese hospitals: National survey, Journal of nursing studies [online] 01 martie
2013 [cited 21 April 2013], available at: www.journalofnursingstudies.com

Health issues among nurses in Taiwanese

hospitals: National survey
Abstract
Background
Few, if any, studies have compared the health issues of nurses working in different
hospital settings. The objective of this study was to compare the health status and workrelated health hazards among nurses working in different hospital units in Taiwan.

Methods
This study was a cross-sectional survey. The study participants were 21,095 full-time
employees with a professional background in nursing, working at 100 hospitals across
Taiwan. The study participants responded to a structured questionnaire from May to July,
2011.

Results
After adjustment for age, sex, educational level, accredited hospital level, and
certification as a health promoting hospital, nurses who worked in administration and in
outpatient clinics reported better overall health than nurses who worked in operating
rooms/delivery rooms, and these nurses reported better overall health than nurses who
worked in emergency rooms/intensive care units and general wards. Depressed mood
followed the same trend. Nurses who worked in the operating rooms/delivery rooms,
wards, and emergency rooms/intensive care units were at higher risk for occupational
incidents than nurses who worked in outpatient clinics and administration. The most
prevalent health hazards among nurses were low back pain, sprained/strained muscles,
cuts, and verbal or sexual harassment/violence.

Conclusions
Nurses who worked in emergency rooms/intensive care units and in wards had worse
health and more depressed moods than nurses in other hospital units. Work-related health
hazards were common and varied among nurses working in different hospital units.

Worksite-based health promotion programs should take these differences into

consideration to tailor wellness programs for nurses working in different hospital settings.
Keywords: Nursing administration, Depression, Health promotion, Occupational health,
Hospitals, Nurses