An intervention of physical activity promotion in an university hospital. A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Rouen University Hospital implements a policy of health promotion hospital since 2016. The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the impact of physical activity promotion in hospital health workers (HW), using pedometers over a period of six months. Methods Physical activity was measured by electronic pedometers distributed to HW, with the aim to improve their physical activity and to measure it during six months. Online questionnaires collected at different points of follow-up, from inclusion to sixth month (a total of seven points of follow-up). Socio-demographic and characteristics on type of health work were collected as well as the number of steps and the behavior regarding their routine physical activity. Results A total of 680 HW were included in the cohort. The sex ratio M:W was 0.16. The mean age was 41.6 years (SD = 10.7). 44.0% were non-medical caregivers, 32.1% were in administrative section, 14.3% were technical workers and 9.7% were physicians or pharmacists; 53.7% of HW reported doing sport regularly. At inclusion the mean number of daily steps was 8662. The mean progression for all professional profiles between first week and sixth month was of 1082 steps daily, with difference according to position: 1319 in physicians, 1234 in non-medical caregivers, 1106 in administrative workers and 314 in technical workers. In linear regression model, the mean number of progression of daily steps was 964 in physicians, 752 in non-medical caregivers. Conclusions The study shows a significant increase in the number of daily steps measured objectively using an incentive tool, as pedometer during six months of intervention. Further researches are needed to determine if these changes are sustainable over a long period of time Key messages Despite high level of daily steps at baseline, the longitudinal study shows an increase of daily steps over a 6-month period. Such public health intervention is a relevant method to engage people in self-monitoring their physical activity.