Evaluation of health behaviours of female healthcare workers in general internal medicine unit at Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviors and the participation in health screenings and immunization programs among thefemale healthcareworkersin the internal care units at Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital. Materials and Methods: The target population of the research was composed of 271 female healthcare workers in the internal care units at Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital; no sampling was conducted, with 93.3% (253 people) of the staff reached. Variables were classified into five main groups as socio-demographic and working status, fertility and health status, healthy lifestyle behaviors, having the immunizations recommended for health workers, and participation level in health screenings. Among the healthy lifestyle behaviors, nutrition, physical activity, and stress management variables were measured with the relevant subscales of the Healthy Life Style Behaviors Scale. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding participants' age, marital status, family type, number of children, menopause or breastfeeding status, educational level, income, occupation, working hours, working style, number of nightshifts, experience, chronic diseases, health perception, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, use of tobacco and alcohol, and level of participation in immunizations and periodic health screenings.The data were collected using a face-to-face interview technique. Height and weight were measured with calibrated stadiometer and bascule; the waist and hip circumferenceswere measured with tape measure in accordance with the standards.Descriptive statistics, Student t-test, Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis H-test, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni test were used in statistical analyses. Statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05. Results: Among 61.7% the research group were nurse or midwifes and 77.9% had bachelorsorpost-graduate degree. Their average age was 36.90±9.03. Among the 62.8% of the participants were married and 60.9% had children. The average number of people in their household was 2.69±1.17; the average number of children was 0.92±0.84; the average monthly income per capitawas 2,676.71 TL±1,499.42. Among them 96% had permanent positions staff; 68.8% worked both daily and had night shifts. The average weekly work hours were 44.66 (±7.67); the average number of monthly nightshifts was 3.43 (±2.95); the average work experience was 14.09 years (±9.68). Among participants 11.1% are in menopause and 2.8% in the breastfeeding period. Of the study group, 53.8% reported a chronic illness. The most frequently reported chronic illnesswas thyroid disease with 13.5%. The average body mass index was 23.67±3.64; the average waist-hip ratio was 0.80±0.06. Among participants 64.4% rated their health as excellent, very good or good. Among employees 22.9% regularly smoked. Three participants were using alcohol excessively. Among the healthy lifestyle behaviors, participants' mean scores of nutrition, physical activity, and stress management were 26.82 ±5.44; 17.00±7.21; and 21.31±5.10 respectively. In the analyses, the nutrition and stress management scores of participants aged 45 and over were found to be higher; the stress management scores of those unmarried, with high income, and with relatively better health perception were higher; the stress management and physical activity scores of those with relatively better health perception were higher (p<0.05). The levels of reported full-immunization or natural immunity to hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella, smallpox, and tetanus among employees were found to be 65.2%, 90.1%, 75.9%, 74.7%,and 71.9%, respectively. Seasonal influenza vaccination was 9.9% in the last year. Of those in the risk group for chronic diseases, 95.4% had blood pressure measurement in the last year, 94.3% had cholesterol test in the last year, 98.2% had diabetes screening test in the last three years, 96.2% had a thyroid function test in the last five years. Among respondents 58.5% had self-administered their breasts every month; 36% had undergone a clinical breast examination in the last two years. 49% of participants over aged ≥40 ages had mammography in the last two years; 59.5% of participants aged ≥30 had smear test in the last five years; 59.5% of participants aged ≥50 reported having occult blood test in stool in the last two years. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that the participants scored better in the nutrition and stress management subscales of the healthy lifestyle behaviors scale. Participants should improve their physical activity and smoking behaviours. For the research group consisting of health workers, the level of complete immunization for tetanus, MMR, and influenza was inadequate; participation in screening for chronic diseases was high but participation in cancer screenings was much lower than expected. Keyword: healthcare workers, lifestyle, health screening, immunization, vaccination