Incidence of Varicose Veins and Edema among Female Nurses in Islamabad: A Comparative Study
An Occupational Health Perspective on Lower Limb Venous Disorders Among Hospital-Based Female Nurses
Keywords:
Edema, Nurses, Occupational Risk Factors, Prevalence, Pregnancy, Pakistan, Varicose VeinsAbstract
Background: Varicose veins (VV) and edema are common chronic venous disorders affecting quality of life. Female nurses are at greater risk because of long hours standing and pregnancy, but incidence data available on these conditions in Pakistan is scarce. This study was aimed to compare the incidence of VV and edema among female nurses in Islamabad and to identify associated risk factors.
Methods: This descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional study recruited 356 female nurses from government, semi-government, and private hospitals in Islamabad, selected through stratified random sampling from a pool of 4297 female nurses. Information was obtained using a validated questionnaire covering demographic data, disease status, family history, pregnancy, and risk factors, with edema graded on a pitting scale and VV classification based on the CEAP system. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test (p<0.05) were used for analysis in SPSS version 22.
Results: Among 356 nurses, 51 (14.35%) were unaffected. Of the remainder, edema alone was found in 161 (52.8%), VV alone in 52 (17.0%), and both conditions in 92 (30.2%). Prolonged standing (35.1% and 18.7% respectively) was the most common risk factor for both edema and VV. Significant associations with disease occurrence were found for pregnancy (χ²=12.046, p=0.017) and family history (χ²=19.123, p=0.004), with 45.9% of affected nurses not receiving treatment.
Conclusion: VV was found to be less frequent than edema in female nurses of Islamabad. Family history, pregnancy, and prolonged standing were identified as major risk factors, underscoring the importance of screening and ergonomic modifications for nurses.
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