Parallel Sessions IV: Friday, May 20, 2005, Session IV
Health promotion for hospital staff - Coping with work related
risks and developing health promoting lifestyles
The Effect of a Physical Activity
Education Programme in the
Hospital Workplace Setting
Sohun, R., MacDonncha C.,
Breen, A. & Neeson, B.
13th International Health Promotion
Conference, Dublin May 18th-20th 2005
University of Limerick
OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH
Mid-Western Area
INTRODUCTION

Sedentary behaviour is a leading contributor to
chronic health problems (European Heart Network, 1999)

The workplace has been identified as a setting
for health promotion intervention

Physical activity participation rates of young
women are low (National Health & Lifestyle Surveys, 1998 & 2002)
–
Participation in Mild Physical Activity:
1998
25%
2002
17%
–
Participation in Moderate Physical Activity: 44%
41%
–
Participation in Strenuous Physical Activity
–
No participation in Physical Activity:
8%
8%
14%
21%
Success of Physical Activity Programmes is
Dependent on a Number of Factors
Personal Factors
Interpersonal Factors
Success of
physical activity
programme
Institutional Factors
Environmental Factors
Policy/Legislation
Access to Education
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness of a 10-week
educational physical activity intervention called
“ACTIVE WAYS” on the physical activity
behaviour of sedentary young female staff in a
hospital setting
METHODOLOGY
Physical Activity Lifestyle Survey

Distribution of a Physical Activity Lifestyle Survey to
females (18-40 years) in 2 hospitals (n=719 Regional
Hospital, n=150 Maternity Hospital)

Overall Response Rate : 38%

Respondents categorised according to:
–
–
–
Willingness/Interest to attend a PA programme
Suitablility according to the PAR-Q (Health Screen)
Physical Activity Stage of Change Model
Physical Activity Stage of Change
Model
(Marcus et al, 1992)

Proposes 5 stages of readiness for adopting
physical activity
–
Pre-Contemplators
–
Contemplators
–
Preparation
–
Action
–
Maintenance
INCLUDED
SAMPLE
Intervention Group
–
–
–
–
62 invited to participate (fit criteria)
27 signed up
23 began the programme (mean age 32.9±5.4 years)
Received the intervention
Control Group
–
–
–
24 invited to participate
9 participated (mean age 29.4±5.3 years)
Received no intervention
INTERVENTION
• 10-week programme
• 1hr weekly in the hospital
• Supported by hospital mgmt
• Participant Workbook
•Time management
•Activity Types
•Barriers to Physical Activity
•Measuring Progress (included PA)
•Social Support
•Goal Setting
•Healthy Eating X 2
• Assistance with planning PA
• Pedometer
INTERVENTION MEASURES




Body Mass Index
Stage of Change
Physical Activity History
Mediators of Physical Activity
–
–
–
–
–
Pre,
Processes of Change
Self-Efficacy
Decisional Balance
Outcome Expectations for Exercise
Enjoyment of Exercise
Post, 6 month time points (Intervention Group)
Pre, Post (Control Group)
RESULTS – POST INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION GRP

CONTROL GRP
–
78%  PA by 1-2 stages
–
45%  PA by 1 stage
–
Attendance at  50%
sessions (> change)
–
No significant
differences in control
group on Mediators of
Physical Activity
–
Improvement in Mediators of
Physical Activity:





8 of 10 Processes of
Change
Decisional Balance
Self-Efficacy
Outcome Exp for PA
Enjoyment for PA
(p0.05)
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Methodology
–
–

Field Notes from Informal Interviews (post intervention)
Inductive analysis for Primary Themes
 Sustaining Physical Activity
 Barriers to Attending the Programme
 Physical Activity Levels on Entry to Programme
Primary Theme
 SUSTAINING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
 Challenges
 Supports
Challenges to Sustaining PA
“I just don’t have time [to exercise]. I have to
wait until my husband comes home. He
works nights and sometimes shift work”
“Weather and time are my big problems”
(Debbie)
(Ann)
“I had a lovely ring route I used to walk, but
now there are a few dogs on the route…so I
can’t use it”
(Sinead)
Supports for Physical Activity
“I always ask my sister to come walking with
me and my other sister”
“By going to the walking series…… I found out
about other walks”
(Joanne)
“I have a work colleague ….she asks me [to
walk with her] and is brilliant to motivate us”
(Clare)
Physical Activity Levels on Entry to
Programme
“As a person with a weight issue and being
very big, it was very disconcerting and
de-motivating on day 1 to have people
reporting that they were active 2-3 days
per week. I was doing nothing….It was
horrible to compare myself. When I did
manage to attend, I found myself lying as
the group standard was far higher [than
what I was doing].”
(Mary)
RESULTS – 6 MONTHS POST
(INTERVENTION GROUP ONLY n=21)

14% moved positively by 1 or 2 stages

19% retained their positive change

10% remained unchanged in contemplative stage

57% regressed by 1 or 2 stages

Improvement in self-efficacy and 2 processes of change (p0.05)

Regression on 8 processes of change, decisional balance &
enjoyment for PA (p0.05)

No significant regression from pre-intervention to 6-month follow up
occurred. Positive trends overall.
CONCLUSION

Intervention was successful at changing physical
activity behaviour of sedentary female hospital
employees.

To maintain change additional support may be required.

Recommendations & Considerations
–
–
–
–
–
Size of the workplace (adequate sample)
Time of programme (consideration for shift patterns)
Support from Hospital Management is essential
Inclusion of Physical Activity during Programme
Physical Activity Goal (individual or group) on finishing
programme