BARRIERS TO BACK CARE AMONG CLINICAL NURSES, TANZANIA

Abstract

Understanding the barriers to back care techniques amongst nurses is important as it could assist hospital
management and training institutions to design courses that could meet the needs of the nurses. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to implementation of back care techniques among nurses in practice. Three focus group discussions were conducted with a group of nurse assistants, nurse midwives and nursing officers. A qualitative approach was used and data was analysed manually after taped interviews and field notes were transcribed. Barriers to effective back care included lack of training, work environment, poor facilities and attitudes. Participants emphasized the need for continuous training to improve knowledge as well as the need to address the poor working conditions. As nurse educators wemay not be able to improve the working conditions but we can impact on the necessary knowledge that nurse practitioners should have to increase protection of their backs when working.