Incidence of peripheral venous insufficiency in nursing professionals

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral venous insufficiency has an approximate prevalence of 60 % in nursing professionals.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of peripheral venous insufficiency in nursing professionals at "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Provincial Teaching Pediatric Hospital.

Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Provincial Teaching Pediatric Hospital in Camagüey province during the first semester of 2022. The universe consisted of 272 nurses and the sample was made up of 154 who met the selection criteria. The variables studied included: sex, age group, referred symptoms, developed clinical signs, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, and measures used to prevent disease progression. The study was approved by the Scientific Council, the Hospital Ethics Committee and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were taken into account. Data were expressed in quantity and percentage.

Results: There was a predominance of female sex (98.1 %), the age group 50-59 years (43.5 %), and, as main signs, fatigue (55.8 %) and telangiectasia (72.2 %). Prolonged standing (92.9 %) was the primary modifiable risk factor, while hypertension was present in the non-modifiable ones (33.8 %). 40.3% reported the use of compression stockings to prevent the progression of the disease.

Conclusions: A high incidence of varicose veins was determined in female nursing staff, of advanced age, associated with occupational risk factors such as prolonged standing and sedentary lifestyle.