Beyond the Pain, Despite Knowing about their Lower Back Pain, why aren't the Nurses doing anything about it?

From Awareness to Apathy: Exploring the Barriers to Behavioral Change in Nursing

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a silent epidemic among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses that threatens personal health and quality of care. The issue, however, extends beyond mere prevalence: why are nurses, despite their awareness, unable to act to manage their own health? An illuminating cross-sectional study conducted on 366 ICU nurses used the Health Belief Model and tools such as the Patient Activation Measure (PAMQ) to delve into this paradox. The study's key finding reveals a deep gap between awareness (with a score of 75.1%) and action (with an overall activation level of 69.0%). Regression analysis shows this inaction is rooted in factors beyond individual knowledge: "presenteeism" (working while sick) and a lack of "perceived social support" act as the primary predictors, explaining 63.9% of the variance in behavior. This study clearly shows that the solution is not more theoretical training. Instead, interventions must shift toward changing organizational culture, creating real support systems, and strengthening nurses' self-efficacy to break this vicious cycle.