Health-related behaviours of nurses and other healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study using the Scottish health survey

Citation

Schneider A, Bak M, Mahoney C, Hoyle L, Kelly M, Atherton I & Kyle R (2019) Health-related behaviours of nurses and other healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study using the Scottish health survey. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75 (6), pp. 1239-1251. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13926

Abstract
Aims: To estimate the prevalence and co-occurrence of health-related behaviours among nurses in Scotland relative to other healthcare workers and those in non-healthcare occupations. Design: Secondary analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional data, reported following STROBE guidelines. Methods: Five rounds (2008-2012) of the Scottish Health Survey were aggregated to estimate the prevalence and co-occurrence of health-related behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake). The weighted sample (n=18,820) included 471 nurses (3%), 433 other healthcare professionals (2%), 813 unregistered care workers (4%), and 17,103 in non-healthcare occupations (91%). Logistic regression models compared prevalence of specific health-related behaviours and principal component analysis assessed co-occurrence of health-related behaviours between occupational groups. Results: Nurses reported significantly better health-related behaviours relative to the general working population for smoking, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. No significant difference was found for alcohol consumption between occupational groups. Nurses reported lower levels of harmful co-occurring behaviours (tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption) and higher levels of preventative behaviours (physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake) compared to the general working population. Other healthcare professionals had the lowest level of harmful health behaviours and highest level of preventative health behaviours. Health-related behaviours were poorest among unregistered care workers. Conclusion: Nurses’ health-related behaviours were better than the general population but non-adherence to public health guidelines was concerning. Impact: Nurses play an important role in health promotion through patient advice and role-modelling effects. To maximise their impact healthcare providers should prioritise increasing access to healthy food, alcohol awareness and smoking cessation programmes.

Keywords
care workers; epidemiology; health behaviours; health promotion; lifestyle; nurses; nutrition; physical activity; smoking; workforce issues;

Journal
Journal of Advanced Nursing: Volume 75, Issue 6

People

Dr Louise Hoyle

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Health Sciences Stirling