A Cross-Sectional Study on Health Behaviors of Nurses in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses have an increased risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a high prevalenceof obesity, poor eating habits and insufficient physical activity. A descriptive study in title with nurses’ healthbehaviours in Kathmandu was conducted to assess health behaviour among nurses.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. 104 nurses from Kathmandu with at least aproficiency certificate level in nursing with a minimum of one year of experience in clinical or academic areas were included. Data were collected from January to February 2020.A nonprobability, convenience sampling technique was used. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive statistics were used to describe the findings.Results: The study showed that 51.9% of the respondents have normal body mass index (BMI) followed by 38.5% overweight, 6.7% obese and 2.9% underweight. Almost all of the respondents’ blood pressure and blood sugar levels were in the normal range (99% and 91.1% respectively). Regarding health behaviour, 84.6% were nonvegetarian,91.3% consumed vegetables daily, and 48% consumed fruits daily. All the respondents were nonsmokers but 21% consume alcohol occasionally. Around 42.3% of the respondents do walking. Non-communicable disease was prevalent among 11.5% of respondents, among them hypertension was the highest (74.2%).Conclusion: Only half of the respondents have normal Body mass index (BMI). Almost all respondents’ Bloodpressure and Sugar levels were normal. Very few of the respondents mentioned the regular morning or evening walk. Most of the respondents were taking vegetables daily but only half of the participants taking fruits daily. Four-fifths of the respondents have adequate sleep hours. The majority of the respondents have a family history of non-communicable diseases.