ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG NURSES WITH VARICOSE VEINS AT TERTIARY HEALTH CARE HOSPITALS, CHENNAI

P ag e2 4 ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG NURSES WITH VARICOSE VEINS AT TERTIARY HEALTH CARE HOSPITALS, CHENNAI Mrs. Savithri K.B.* I Dr. Raj Rani** *Associate Professor, Panimalar College Of Nursing, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. **Principal, GTB, Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, Punjab, India. DOI: http://doi.org/10.47211/idcij.2020.v07iws02.006 ABSTRACT Background: Work-related health problems are common among nurses. There are various work-related health problems among them low back pain, hypertension and Varicose vein are most evident. High prevalence of varicose veins and its complications is an emerging problem in the twenty-first century. This study aimed to determine the associated risk factors and quality of life (QoL) among nurses with varicose veins. Methods: Cross–sectional study was conducted in October and November 2018 among 96 nurses working in tertiary health care hospitals. Standard physical examination was used to check the condition of varicose veins in the lower extremities of participants. Data collected by using structured interview with the tool, Ware et al. (1993) RAND36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) for Quality of life (QoL) and background variables Results: Varicose veins were significantly associated with age family history of varicose disease, blood pressure and long standing. The results of the study depicted that 78% patients had poor QoL. The mean percentage of composite summaries of QoL was low QoL in all its spheres. A statistically significant association was noted between the mean score of QoL and type of exercise at p < .0001. Conclusions: Varicose veins were associated with risk factors such as increasing age, family history of varicose disease, high blood Pressure, and prolonged standing. The present study makes evident that majority of the nurses with varicose vein has poor QoL and it affects all dimensions of QoL.