Factors Related to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Behaviors of Personnel at Chaophraya Yommarat Hospital, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with health promotion and disease prevention practices of personnel at Chaophraya Yommarat Hospital in Suphanburi Province. Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey among all personnel (1,231 persons) within the hospital. The survey score data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s product moment correlation test to measure the relationships between some selected factors and health promotion and disease prevention behaviors among the personnel. It was found that 78.6% of personnel were female. The mean of age was 33.3 years. Half of them had a bachelor,s degree. The average duration of work in the hospital was 13.7 years. Almost a quarter of them had underlying diseases; and more than one-fourth of them used to have a work-related injury. Two health hazards identified were: (1) working closely with patients and infectios agents, and (2) sitting, standing, or walking continuously for a long time during work. Only 14.1% of the personnel had high level of health promotion behaviors and disease prevention practices which 64.6% had a moderate level and 21.4% at a low level. The study revealed that gender, education level, work position, and health status had significant influenced (p<0.05) on health promotion and disease prevention behaviors of the personnel. Duration of employment and hours of work per day also had positive coorelation (p<0.001). On contrary, exposure to health hazard conditions had a negative influenced on the health promotion and disease prevention behavior of the personnel. In summary, the research results suggested that the hospital,s administrative committee should have a policy to promoting health promoton and disease prevention behaviors. Programs should be set up to promote good nutritional intake, activities to release stress, discussion on prevention and problem solving on ergonomics working conditions. In the area of high risk for air borne diseases, efficient air ventilation system should be installed to prevent spread of the diseases. There should be a promotion on personal safety such as wearing safety helmets and safety belts when using vehicles to reduce accidents and to be good examples for the public.