Prevalence and Correlates of Pain Among Nurses in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Pain is a prevalent occupational health concern among nurses and may affect functional capacity and work performance. However, evidence from Central and Eastern Europe remains limited, particularly regarding behavioral and occupational correlates of pain. Objectives: To characterize pain among practicing nurses and examine associations between health-related behaviors, occupational characteristics, and distinct pain-related outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 580 nurses in southeastern Poland. Pain was assessed using the four-item Laitinen Pain Scale (LPS), and health-related behaviors were evaluated using the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI). Descriptive statistics, univariable analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations with pain intensity, pain frequency, analgesic use, and activity limitation. Results: More than 80% of participants reported pain. Among the HBI domains, the lowest scores were observed for Health Practices (mean 19.1 ± 4.4). Compared with nurses with <10 years of professional experience, those with 10-29 years had higher odds of reporting pain intensity (OR = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.29-6.64), pain frequency (OR = 3.74; 95% CI: 1.54-9.08), and analgesic use (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.09-5.16). Lower Health Practices scores were associated with higher odds of pain intensity (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.17-3.41), pain frequency (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.21-3.99), and analgesic use (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.09-2.91). Lower Positive Mental Attitude scores were associated with activity limitation (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.10-2.87). Conclusions: Pain was frequently reported among nurses in this regional sample and was associated with professional experience and selected health-behavior domains. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. Longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify these relationships and determine whether occupational or behavioral interventions can reduce pain or improve functional outcomes.