Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are reported worldwide as a high prevalence of pathogens in the etiology of infections, both nosocomial and community. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA in the University Hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM), 2007-2011, as well as evaluating the sensitivity to vancomycin front of MRSA isolates collected from May to December 2011. We analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of all patients diagnosed with MRSA infections between January 2007 and December 2011. During this period, 1,852 samples of S. aureus foram isolated in HUSM, and 616 (33.3%) were resistant to oxacillin. There was a significant reduction in the prevalence rates of this pathogen which rose from 43.4% in 2007 to 33.9% in 2008, 30.4% in 2009, 28.1% in 2010 and 27.5% in 2011. Infections were more prevalent in male patients, aged 41 to 70 years, hospitalized in Medical clinic (16.28%), Adult Intensive Care Unit (15.13%), First Aid Post (13%), Adult Emergency Care (12.67%) and Surgery Clinic (12.5%). A greater isolation of MRSA in blood samples (16.9%), followed by tracheal aspirates (16.5%), urine (10.4%), sputum (8.7%), surgery wound secretion (8.1%) and lower limb secretion (7.8%). As for the determination of susceptibility to vancomycin, 125 samples from S. aureus were collected prospectively from May to December 2011, which 31 (24.8%) were MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin was determined using a conventional methodology manual broth microdilution. The MIC most frequent among all S. aureus were the 1μg/mL, presented by 53.6% of the strains, whereas among MRSA, there was a higher frequency of MIC of 2 mg/mL (48.4%). Therefore all isolates belonging to this study were sensitive to this antimicrobial of choice for infections caused by MRSA strains. Thus, given the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with these infections, this study demonstrated the importance of recognizing the prevalence and profile of susceptibility to vancomycin of MRSA so that effective measures for the treatment and control of MRSA to take effect. / Staphylococcus aureus resistentes à meticilina (MRSA) são relatados mundialmente como patógenos de elevada prevalência na etiologia de infecções, tanto nosocomiais como comunitárias. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a prevalência dos MRSA no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM), de 2007 a 2011, bem como avaliar o perfil de sensibilidade frente à vancomicina de isolados de MRSA, coletados de maio a dezembro de 2011. Analisaram-se retrospectivamente, dados clínicos de todos os pacientes diagnosticados com infecções por MRSA entre janeiro de 2007 e dezembro de 2011. Durante este período, 1.852 amostras de S. aureus foram isoladas no HUSM, sendo que 616 (33,3%) foram resistentes à oxacilina. Houve uma redução significativa nas taxas de prevalência deste patógeno que passou de 43,4% em 2007 para 33,9% em 2008, 30,4% em 2009, 28,1% em 2010 e 27,5% em 2011. As infecções foram mais prevalentes em pacientes do sexo masculino, com idades entre 41 e 70 anos, internados na Clínica Médica (16,28%), Unidade de Terapia Intensiva adulto (15,13%), Ambulatório (13%), Pronto Atendimento adulto (12,67%) e Clínica Cirúrgica (12,5%). Houve maior isolamento dos MRSA em amostras de sangue (16,9%), seguido de secreção traqueal (16,5%), urina (10,4%), escarro (8,7%), secreção de ferida operatória (8,1%) e de membro inferior (7,8%). Já para a determinação da sensibilidade à vancomicina, foram coletadas prospectivamente 125 amostras de S. aureus de maio a dezembro de 2011, das quais 31 (24,8%) foram MRSA. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) da vancomicina foi determinada através de metodologia convencional manual de microdiluição em caldo. A CIM mais frequente dentre todos os S. aureus foi a de 1μg/mL, apresentada por 53,6% das cepas, enquanto que dentre os MRSA, houve maior frequência da CIM de 2 μg/mL (48,4%). Portanto todos os isolados pertencentes ao presente estudo foram sensíveis a este antimicrobiano de escolha para infecções causadas por cepas MRSA. Desta forma, diante das altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade associadas a estas infecções, este estudo demonstrou a importância do reconhecimento da prevalência e do perfil de sensibilidade à vancomicina dos MRSA, para que medidas eficazes para o tratamento e controle dos MRSA sejam efetivadas.

Abstract The symptom complex originating from the inner ear, known as Meniere's disease, was studied especially from the epidemiologic point of view. A total of 442 patients' charts were retrospectively analysed in several hospital districts of Finland. The period of 1992-1996 was covered. The main focus was on the epidemiological assessment of the disease in Finland. To clarify the epidemiological figures, the validity of the diagnostic assessment was examined using the latest guidelines (1995) of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) as a gold standard. The diagnostic tools used in the different hospitals were documented and evaluated, and diagnostic accuracy at the different levels of the health care system was evaluated. The clinical picture of Meniere's disease was characterised, and the therapeutic modalities used were evaluated. The audiometric configurations were classified according to two principles. The prognosis of hearing impairment was specified by creating a multivariable model. Half of the patients (N = 221) fulfilled the AAO-HNS criteria for definite disease. The prevalence and incidence of definite cases of Meniere's disease appeared to be lower in Finland than could be expected based on previous international studies. A prevalence of at least 43 per 100,000 and an average annual incidence of 4.3 per 100,000 were obtained. The prevalence rates in the catchment areas of the university and central hospitals did not differ statistically, but a significant (p < 0.001) difference was found between the average prevalences in the northern and southern Finnish hospital districts. Fluctuation of hearing in repeated audiometric measurements appeared to be a highly sensitive (94%) diagnostic test to detect definite Meniere's disease. According to the multivariable model created in this study, the hearing impairment in Meniere's disease affects equally males and females, and the deterioration is about 1 dB per year due to the duration of the disease and 0.5 dB per year due to aging. The disease was controlled conservatively in 69% of the cases. A gently sloping high-frequency audiometric pattern was most prevalent according to the EU Work Group classification and a flat pattern according to the mid-frequency-based classification. The variability of diagnostic criteria, diagnostic tools and therapeutic modalities shows an evident need for up-to-date therapy recommendations for Meniere's disease in Finland.

Abstract Age-related hearing impairment is the most common type of hearing impairment among adults. Adult-onset hearing impairment is one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide and it is associated with social isolation and depression. As the proportion of older people is increasing in Western countries, the socioeconomic importance of adult hearing impairment will increase notably. The aim of the present contribution was to study the epidemiological aspects of hearing and related factors among older adults. The prevalence of hearing impairment, defined either by audiometry or by a self-report, and the differences between these two were analyzed. Tinnitus and hyperacusis were also studied. Furthermore, the prevalence of ear diseases, otological risk factors, and noise exposure and their association with hearing thresholds were analyzed. In addition, audiogram configurations and certain subject-related factors and their relation to hearing were assessed. The subjects were randomly sampled from the population register and they responded to an extensive questionnaire. Otological status was examined and pure tone audiometry was conducted. Data on 850 subjects aged 54–66 years were analyzed. Hearing impairment was found to be a highly common condition with a prevalence of 26.7% when defined by better ear and 42.2% when defined by worse ear. Men had worse hearing than women. High-frequency sloping audiogram configurations were common. Self-reported hearing difficulty and measured hearing impairment seem to be associated at high frequencies. At least one ear disease or otological risk factor for hearing impairment was found among 18.4% of the subjects and noise exposure among 46%, more often by men. Interestingly, noise exposure did not seem to associate with hearing levels among subjects screened for ear disease or otological risk factors. The results of the present study suggest that hearing impairment is a highly common condition among older adults and this should be taken into account when future hearing healthcare is planned. Furthermore, it seems that most of the subjects reporting hearing difficulty had no measured hearing impairment according to the criteria applied for eligibility for hearing aid fitting in Finland. Based on the results of the present study, the criteria for hearing impairment entitling persons for hearing aid fitting should be reconsidered. / Tiivistelmä Ikäkuulo on yleisin aikuisten kuulovian aiheuttaja, ja aikuisiän kuulovika on merkittävä terveydellinen haittatekijä. Kehittyneiden maiden ikäjakauman painottuessa vanhempiin ikäluokkiin aikuisten kuulovioista tulee merkittävä sosioekonominen rasite yhteiskunnille. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää aikuisten kuulovikojen epidemiologiaa ja kuulovikoihin liittyviä tekijöitä. Myös kuulovian vallitsevuus määriteltynä kuulokäyrän tai tutkittavan oman ilmoituksen perusteella selvitettiin. Samoin tutkittiin muita kuulemiseen liittyviä ongelmia, kuten tinnitusta ja ääniyliherkkyyttä. Edelleen arvioitiin erilaisten kuuloon vaikuttavien tekijöiden, kuten korvasairauksien, muiden kuulovian riskitekijöiden ja melulle altistumisen, vallitsevuutta väestössä sekä niiden assosiaatiota kuulemiseen. Näiden lisäksi tutkittiin kuulokäyrien muotoja ja niiden yhteyttä tutkittavan ilmoittamaan kuulo-ongelmaan. Tutkittavat valittiin satunnaisesti väestörekisteristä. He täyttivät laajan kyselylomakkeen, heidän korvansa tutkittiin lääkärin vastaanotolla ja lisäksi heille tehtiin kuulotutkimukset. Tutkimukseen osallistui 850 55–66-vuotiasta henkilöä. Tutkimus osoitti, että kuulovika on tässä ikäryhmässä hyvin yleinen löydös ja miehillä yleisempi kuin naisilla. Tutkittavan ilmoittama kuulovika ennusti mitattujen kuulokynnysten heikkenemistä korkeilla taajuuksilla (4–8 kHz). Samoin korkeille taajuuksille laskeva kuulokäyrän muoto oli yleisin. Erilaisia kuulovian riskitekijöitä raportoi 18.4 % tutkittavista. Tämän lisäksi 46 % kertoi merkittävästä altistumisesta melulle, miehet naisia useammin. Yllättäen melualtistumisella ei näyttänyt olevan yhteyttä kuulokynnyksiin siinä ryhmässä tutkittavia, joilla ei ollut korvaperäisiä riskitekijöitä kuulovialle. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, että kuulovika on hyvin yleinen löydös tämän ikäisillä aikuisilla. Vanhenevat ikäluokat ovat merkittävä haaste kuulonhuollolle, ja tämä olisi otettava huomioon päätettäessä kuulonhuollon rahoituksesta. Useat niistä aikuisista, jotka kokivat kuulo-ongelmia, eivät kuulokäyrälöydöksensä mukaan täyttäneet Suomessa käytössä olevia kriteereitä kuulokojesovitukselle. Tämän tutkimuksen perusteella näyttääkin siltä, että kuntoutustarvetta arvioitaessa kuulovian kriteereitä tulisi kansallisesti tarkistaa ottamalla huomioon myös huonomman korvan kuulokynnykset sekä kuulon alenema korkeilla taajuuksilla.

Anxiety is the most commonly reported mental health problem among adolescents. Still, many adolescents in need of treatment are not detected and the clinical characteristics and etiological pathways of adolescent anxiety are under-researched topics. This thesis examined the clinical utility of the Swedish versions of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the clinical characteristics of multiple anxiety disorders among psychiatrically referred adolescents, and the influence of parenting and oxytocin gene (OXT) variants on anxiety among adolescents in the general population.  Studies employed cross-sectional and longitudinal designs and were based on questionnaire, interview, and genotype data. Support for the reliability and validity of both SCAS and SCAS-P was obtained. The overall ability to predict anxiety among referred adolescents ranged from fair to excellent for both scales.  Among adolescents psychiatrically referred for any reason, the prevalence of any anxiety disorder was 46%. Homotypic comorbidity was observed in 43%, and heterotypic comorbidity in 91%. Early adolescent anxiety influenced homotypic anxiety in late adolescence independent of parental rejection and control. The mediating role of parenting was small with indirect effect sizes no larger than one-tenth the size of direct effects, irrespective of the informant on parenting behavior. Significant interaction effects with positive and negative parenting were observed for OXT variants rs4813625 and rs2770378 in relation to social anxiety. The nature of the interactions was in line with the differential susceptibility framework for rs4813625, whereas for rs2770378, results indicated a diathesis–stress type of interaction. The findings suggest that psychiatrically referred adolescents with anxiety disorders are best characterized as a highly complex patient group and call attention to the necessity of structured assessment. For this purpose, this thesis provides evidence for the clinical utility of the SCAS; routine utilization of this questionnaire can improve detection of adolescents in need of anxiety treatment. Findings of this theses further suggest that the influence of positive and negative parenting behaviors on anxiety may be of greater importance among some adolescents than others, depending on individual differences in sensitivity to parenting. The etiology of anxiety among adolescents may therefore involve differential susceptibility effects of the interplay between genes and parenting behaviors.

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of alcohol and narcotic use among adolescents in the age of 16-19 in private schools in a medium size city in Sweden. The aim was also to identify important risk factors for the use of narcotics. In upper secondary school in Sweden, 74,0 % of the adolescents had consumed alcohol and 18,0 % had used narcotics in the year of 2016. The results in this study showed that the prevalence of alcohol and narcotic use among the adolescents in Sundsvall was similar to the national prevalence, and gender differences were found in the amount of alcohol consumed as well as in types of narcotics used. The most common type of alcohol consumed by females was light beer or cider and wine whereas for males it was strong beer or cider. More males than females had ever used narcotics and the most common type of narcotic was marijuana/hash among both genders. Earlier research and criminological theories have found several risk factors regarding the use of narcotics. The most prominent risk factors found in this study were lack of parental awareness, having deviant peers, lack of school commitment, positive attitudes towards narcotics and alcohol, and lack of leisure time activities. Research shows that the use of narcotics is connected to criminal behavior and identifying relevant risk factors is a must in order to prevent future problems. This study highlighted several important risk factors and suggested where future measures should be aimed. / <p>2017-06-01</p>

Introduction: Population is demographically aging and proportion of older adults in the society increases. Also the number of sick persons raises, and the high consumption of drugs and polypharmacotherapy in old age are global problems. The definition of polypharmacotherapy is not uniform. Most commonly it is defined as the use of 5 or more drugs simultaneously. In the scientific literature we also see the term "excessive polypharmacotherapy". This is defined as the use of 10 or more drugs simultaneously. Polymorbidity, irrational indications, wrong diagnostics of drug-related problems, but also changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics common in the old age contribute to polypharmacotherapy. It is important that pharmacotherapy in the old age must be simple, effective and safe. Methods: Using the electronic database PubMed, all studies on the subject "Polypharmacotherapy in Old Age" published in 2005-2015 were reviewed. The data were summarized in tables. Studies that included causal factors (predictors) of polypharmacotherapy were also evaluated. The most frequently prescribed drugs in geriatric patients with polypharmacotherapy were recorded in a separate table. Results: In this diploma thesis, the prevalence of polypharmacotherapy was compared from 81 studies. We found that the...

South Africa is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of HIV infection in the world, particularly among the youth between the ages 15 and 24 years. The number of infections among the youth in South Africa is still increasing and this does not exclude the youth under study in the community of Eersterust. The HIV and AIDS epidemic is affecting large numbers of adolescents, throughout South Africa leading to serious psychological, social, economic and educational problems. Because of the devastating effect and rapid increase of HIV-infections among adolescents, it has become evident that not only government departments (Department of Health and Department of Education), but also community-based educational support structures (organisations) should share the responsibility by playing a pro-active role in awareness and the curbing of the spread of HIV-infection among adolescents. Various researchers have been focusing on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of adolescents but limited research has been done on the contribution of community-based educational support programmes with regard to creating awareness and the curbing of the further spread of HIV-infection among adolescents. This study which seeked to address the need for ongoing research in this field, attempted to investigate whether and how communitybased educational programmes address the educational needs of adolescents within a particular community, namely Eersterust. In order to determine these needs, quantitative and qualitative descriptive research approaches were utilized comprising of a questionnaire survey and focus group interviews. The questionnaire survey explored the knowledge, skills, attitudes and sexual behaviour of the 916 participants. The results from the questionnaire were utilized to determine the educational needs of adolescents. Focus group interviews were conducted with 11 adolescents who attended the educational support programmes at the Youth Development Outreach Centre and the Circle of Life Centre. The latter are two community-based organisations in the community under study (Eersterust). The focus group interviews were utilized to determine the views of the adolescents with regard to the mode of delivery and effectiveness of the community-based educational support programmes. From the data in the questionnaire the educational needs of adolescents were identified and compared with the content of the community-based educational support programmes of the two community-based support structures. The findings revealed that the community-based educational support programmes are to a large extent addressing the HIV and AIDS educational needs of the adolescents under study. The focus group interviews revealed that the participants are of the opinion that they find the programmes interesting and enriching. They benefit educationally by attending the educational programmes and they would recommend the programmes to other adolescents. The findings indicate that the educational programmes are appropriate to address the HIV and AIDS educational needs of the adolescents. The educational needs identified in the empirical research are however not fulfilled because many of the adolescents do not attend the educational programmes. There are only a few adolescents who attend these educational programmes. The latter might be a contributing factor to the high HIV-infection among adolescents. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Early Childhood Education / unrestricted

Objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout (SB) en los médicos y enfermeras del Perú en el año 2014, según los diferentes puntos de corte establecidos en la literatura. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal y descriptivo basado en la Encuesta Nacional de Satisfacción de Usuarios en Salud del año 2014 (ENSUSALUD-2014) que cuenta con un muestreo probabilístico bietápico. El SB fue identificado mediante el Maslach Burnout Inventory -Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) utilizando diferentes puntos de corte para establecer su prevalencia: valores predeterminados, terciles y cuartiles. Resultados. De los 5062 profesionales de salud, 62,3% eran mujeres, 44,0% eran médicos, 46,0% pertenecían al MINSA y 23,1% laboraban en Lima. Se obtuvo una prevalencia global del SB de 2,8% (IC95%: 2,19-3,45) usando valores predeterminados; 7,9% (IC95%: 6,93-8,95) para puntos de corte según cuartiles; y 12,5% (IC95%:11,29-13,77) usando terciles. La prevalencia es mayor en médicos que en enfermeras, independientemente del punto de corte usado (3,7% vs 2,1% en valores predeterminados; 10,2 vs 6,1% con cuartiles, y 16,2 vs 9,5% mediante terciles). Conclusiones. La prevalencia del síndrome en personal sanitario es distinta en una misma población, según se utilicen los distintos puntos de corte descritos. Se recomienda el uso de los valores predeterminados por el creador del instrumento, hasta obtener puntos específicos para nuestro país. / Objectives. To determine the difference in the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BS) using different cut-off points for each scales in physicians and nurses of Peru in 2014. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional, descriptive study of secondary data based from the National Health-User Satisfaction Survey 2014 (in Spanish: Encuesta Nacional de Satisfacción de Usuarios en Salud - 2014, ENSUSALUD 2014). The BS was identified through the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) using different cut-off points to establish its prevalence: default values, tertiles and quartiles. Results. Of the 5067 health professionals, 62.3% were women, 44.0% were physicians, 46.0% belonged to the Ministry of Health (MINSA), and 23.1% worked in Lima. An overall prevalence of SB 2.8% (CI95%: 2,19-3,45) was obtained using default values; 7.9% (CI95%: 6,93-8,95) according to quartiles; and 12.5% (CI95%:11,29- 13,77) using tertiles. Prevalence found was higher in physicians than nurses regardless of the cut-off points used (3.7% vs 2.1% in default values; 10.2% vs 6.1% using quartiles, and 16.2% vs 9.5% by tertiles).Conclusions. Prevalence of BS in health workers was different in the same population according to different cut-off points. We recommended using default values established by the author of the instrument until it is obtained specific cut-off points for our country.

Doctor of Philosophy / Division of Biology / Brett K. Sandercock / Gastrointestinal microbiota play a vital role in maintaining organismal health, through facilitating nutrient uptake, detoxification and interactions with the immune system. Shorebirds vary widely in life-history characteristics, such as habitat, migration and breeding system, but the dynamics of their gut microbial communities are unknown. In my dissertation, I investigated composition and dynamics of gut microbiota in migratory shorebirds from embryos to 10 day old chicks, and determined environment and host-related factors affecting gut microbial communities of adults. First, I tested whether precocial chicks from three species of arctic-breeding shorebirds acquire gut microbiota before or after hatching using next-generation sequencing. In addition, I documented the dynamics of gut microbial establishment. I showed that gut microbiota were absent in shorebird embryos before hatching, but that stable gut communities established within the first three days after hatching. In addition, gut microbiota of young shorebird chicks were more similar to the environmental microbiome than later in life, suggesting that the environment is a likely source for microbial recruitment. After reaching adulthood, shorebirds migrate long distances, potentially exposing them to a wide range of microorganisms. Host phylogeny and environmental factors have both been identified as drivers of gut microbiota composition in birds in previous studies. The second part of my project aimed to compare the relative importance of host and environmental factors that underlie variation in gut microbiota composition in eight species of migratory shorebirds sampled across the North American Arctic. I found that sampling site was the main driver of variation in gut microbiota of Arctic-breeding shorebirds, and that site-related variation in gut microbiota of shorebirds was a result of differences in core bacterial taxa that occurred in more than half of the analyzed samples. A relatively large influence of local environment on gut microbiota composition of chicks and adults lead to the question: how does site affect pathogen prevalence in shorebirds? Migratory behavior has been hypothesized to have evolved as a response to variation in climatic conditions and food availability, to avoid predation, and to reduce risk of exposure to pathogens. The migratory escape hypothesis predicts avoidance of high disease prevalence areas through migration, and has been proposed as one of the main reasons that many bird species migrate to the Arctic for breeding. To test the migratory escape hypothesis in shorebirds, I screened for prevalence of seven known avian pathogens in shorebirds at different stages of migration. I did not detect the majority of pathogens we tested for, with the exception of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. Prevalence of C. jejuni in shorebirds was linked to sampling sites but not shorebird species. My dissertation is the first comprehensive study to broadly characterize the gut microbiota in shorebirds. Overall, local environment emerged as an important factor in shaping microbiota composition in Arctic-breeding shorebirds throughout my dissertation research. The role of local environment in shaping gut microbiota invites future investigations of the interactions among shorebirds and the microorganisms present in their environment, as well as the functions gut microbiota perform within their shorebird hosts.

Masters of Science (Physiotherapy) / Nursing is worldwide regarded as a high risk occupation for the development of work-related low back pain (WRLBP). LBP is one of the most common causes of disability, creating an important socio-economic problem in modern society. Studies report that more than 80% of workers suffer from WRLBP once in their occupational lives. Among nurses, the lifetime prevalence has been found to be higher, varying up to 90% of a nursing population. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence, perceived disability and contributing/risk factors to WRLBP among nurses in Rwanda, identifying the perceived contributing risk factors of WRLBP and intervention strategies received by those nurses. A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was used to gather data with a self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 226 nurses. The study population included all registered nurses of Kabgayi District Hospital and Nyanza District Hospitals and their respective health centers. To be included, the nurses had to have suffered from WRLBP during the previous 6 months before data collection. The Nordic Back Pain Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index and an open-ended questionnaire regarding perceived risk factors have been used. Descriptive statistics to summarize data and inferential statistics such as chisquare test to test the relationship between different variables of the study have been studied at 5% levels. Correlation coefficients in terms of cross-tabulation were also studied at 1% level of significance. The current study highlights one-month prevalent rates of 70.4%, and one-week prevalent rates of 54.4%. WRLBP among nurses has been found to be significantly associated with gender according to the p-value of 0.007 among the studied variables, and good correlation coefficients between disability scores, together with the length of WRLBP and BMI with 0.0001, 0.0030 respectively. Nurses in the current study reported WRLBP as a result of a wide range of factors related to their work, manual handling being the major physical work activity exposing them to WRLBP. The perceived risk factors for WRLBP reported in this study were classified into 4 categories. The first category included work positional factors such as standing, sitting, bending, and awkward work postures. The second group included work-related nursing tasks such as lifting patients and items at work, repositioning and transferring patients, bed making, washing patients, and many others. In the third group, psychosocial factors like poor relationship with colleagues, work pressure and reduced job satisfaction have been listed. Finally, some non-occupational factors such as aging, pregnancy, menstruation, history of back pain, being female and body built have also been perceived as contributing factors to WRLBP. The Oswestry Disability Index demonstrated a mild to moderate disability due to WRLBP in this group of nurses. WRLBP has a negative impact in health services due to activity limitation, lost time and lowered productivity. The study concludes that nurses must be protected from ergonomic work stressors, and improvement of awareness of urses with regards to ergonomic stressors seems to be crucial. However, an effort by different parties concerned with the problem at all levels in Rwanda is needed. The government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Health in particular, will be recommended to put strategies in place for the management, reduction and prevention of WRLBP amongst health workers, especially in the nursing population. / South Africa