Health behaviour, health status and occupational prospects of apprentice nurses and kindergarten teachers in Germany: a cross-sectional study.

Tanja Wirth,Agnessa Kozak,Albert Nienhaus,Grita Schedlbauer

doi:10.1186/s12995-016-0116-7

Abstract

BackgroundApprentices in human service professions are exposed to emotional and physical stresses in their workplaces. Moreover, they are in the vulnerable phase of becoming an adult. Their lifestyle and health therefore seem to be particularly unstable. This study aims to evaluate and compare the health behaviour, health status and occupational prospects of apprentices in nursing and early childhood education and to identify factors associated with their physical and mental health.MethodsA cross-sectional study based on self-administered questionnaires was carried out at eight vocational schools in Hamburg, Germany. Four hundred two apprentice geriatric nurses, hospital nurses and kindergarten teachers/assistants participated (response rate: 99 %). Apprentices were compared in terms of their physical activity, dietary patterns, cigarette and alcohol consumption, body mass index, self-rated health, previous diseases, job satisfaction and occupational prospects. Factors associated with the participants’ musculoskeletal or mental disorders were identified using logistic regression.ResultsAround 33 % of apprentice geriatric nurses and kindergarten teachers/assistants were overweight or obese. Fifty-five percent of geriatric nurses were smokers. Job satisfaction was lowest among hospital nurses. More than one third of the apprentices suffered from musculoskeletal or mental disorders. The ages of 23–26 years and mental disorder were associated with musculoskeletal disorders (OR 3.1, 95 % CI 1.4–6.7; OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1–3.1). Being an apprentice in early childhood education was associated with an increased chance of mental disorder (OR 2.9, 95 % CI 1.4–6.0). Additionally, musculoskeletal disorders, self-efficacy and irritation were associated with mental disorder.ConclusionsDifferences between the occupational groups indicate the need for specific work-related health promotion for apprentices at an early stage in their careers. Future projects should focus on the implementation and evaluation of these measures.

Highlights

Apprentices in human service professions are exposed to emotional and physical stresses in their workplaces
A systematic review showed that the smoking rates among nursing students vary considerably depending on the country of study; from 3 % in Iran, to around 30 % in Great Britain, to over 60 % reported in one Australian survey [9]
Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and mental disorders such as depression or burnout have been observed among nursing students [18, 19]

Summary

Introduction

Apprentices in human service professions are exposed to emotional and physical stresses in their workplaces. They are in the vulnerable phase of becoming an adult. This study aims to evaluate and compare the health behaviour, health status and occupational prospects of apprentices in nursing and early childhood education and to identify factors associated with their physical and mental health. Kindergarten teachers are exposed to a continuously high level of noise and usually work in bent and twisted postures. These professions show high rates of occupational disabilities and dropouts [3, 4], among young employees [2]. Promoting health early in their careers could be one strategy to prevent high turnover in these professions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion