Health promoting and risky behaviours of nurses, taking into account “coronary prone behaviour pattern”

Abstract

Abstract Introduction “Coronary prone behaviour pattern” refers to the way of coping with environmental stressors, otherwise known as a type A behaviour pattern. Stress, unlimited working hours and the shift system are conducive to an “unhealthy life style” conducted by nurses. The purpose of the study was to evaluate health promoting and risky behaviours of nurses, taking into account the “coronary prone behaviour pattern.” Material and method 1080 nurses were subject to the analysis, among whom 1052 (97.4%) were women. They were from 23 to 65 years of age, with the average of 44.2 years. Most of them (n=484; 44%) had been working as nurses more than 20 years. The AUDIT-C test was used in the analysis, as well as the menu evaluation scale by Z. Bielińska, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Psychosocial Working Conditions Questionnaire, the COPE Inventory (an inventory developed to assess methods of coping with stress; Mini-COPE) and the A-Framingham scale by Chesney and Rosenman, in the Polish adaptation by Z. Juczyński. Results “Coronary prone behaviour pattern” (A Type behaviour pattern) was demonstrated by 333 (30.8%) nurses, B Type – by 272 (25.2%) nurses, while the other group demonstrated the Intermediate Type. The respondents with “coronary prone behaviour pattern” statistically significantly (p=0.003) demonstrated the risk of the problem with alcohol less often in comparison to the other respondents. Additionally, nurses featuring the above-mentioned behaviour pattern ate better (M=16.66; SD=6.66) in comparison to persons with B type behaviour patterns (M=15.49; SD=6.52). As far as the mental and physical well-being is concerned, resulting from stress perceived, persons with A type behaviour patterns had materially (p<0.001) better mental and physical well-being and on average better results in the scope of coping with stress, i.e. Active Coping, Search for Support, Acceptance, Turning to Religion, and Sense of Humour in comparison to nurses demonstrating other behaviour patterns. There were no significant differences between nurses demonstrating different behaviour patterns and the existence of diseases (obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes), physical activity and smoking. Conclusions A significant group of nurses demonstrated the “coronary prone behaviour pattern” which is unfavourable to health and predisposes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. The occurrence of “coronary prone behaviour pattern” was associated with health promoting behaviours of nurses being the subject of the analysis, i.e. better mental and physical well-being, better coping with stress and a lower risk of the problem with alcohol and proper nutrition. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.