Nurses’ lifestyle behaviours, health priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle

Abstract

Introduction: The workplace is a setting with the potential for reaching large numbers of people, with positive impacts on health status. Previous research suggests that nurses have an increased risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the health concerns, priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle among nurses and hospital management staff working in public hospitals in theWestern Cape, South Africa. Methods: All the nurses employed at the five participating hospitals were eligible to participate in the research study. Five focus groups were conducted with the day shift (n=36), and seven focus groupswere conductedwith the night shift (n=57) nurses. In addition, 7 key informant interviews were conducted with the Nursing Managers from the hospitals. Guiding questions were used to gain insight into nurses’ health concerns, lifestyle behaviours and current worksite health promotion programmes (WHPPs). Data were analysed using thematic analysis with the Atlas.ti Qualitative Data Analysis Software. Results: Weight gain and living with NCDs such as hypertension were the main health concerns identified by the nurses. The nurses suggested that being overweight had a negative impact on their occupational tasks and requirements. In addition, both management and nurses perceived the hospital as a stressful working environment. Lack of time was the main barrier to healthy eating and regular physical activity. Another barrier that nurses identifiedwas the hospital environment, where for example, the canteen did not offer healthy food options. The most commonly delivered WHPPs includedopportunities for telephone-based counseling and advisory services, and an online employee wellness programme. Wellness days, which included blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and Body Mass Index measures, were also frequently reported. Both day and night shift nurses were interested inWHPP that provided opportunities for physical activity in addition to stress management programmes and support groups. The managerswere interested in interventions thatpromoted teambuilding and addressing cultural diversity. Discussion: Both the risk of NCDs and exposure to infectious disease remains a concern in this working population. Our findings highlight the need for WHPPs in hospitals that support nurses in managing stress and controlling their weight, as well as transforming the work environment to facilitate healthy lifestyles.