Training of employers and employees in workplace health promotion in Bulgaria – 7-year experience

Abstract

Abstract Issue Health of working population is a question of present interest because of a number of reasons: aging workforce, globalization of the labour market, new and increasing risks at working environment etc. Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) become increasingly relevant field of action for public health improvement all over the world. According to the Bulgarian legislation annual trainings on health and safety at work are obligatory for employers and employees. Description By this paper 7-year experience in training of employers and employees in WHP was shared. Generally, 9 employers/organizations and 120 employees in three focus groups were included in the training. Questions of the project are: a) how to enhance employers' capability to plan and put into practice health promotion programs; b) how to increase employees' interest for active participation in these programs. Training have been conducted both at workplace and at special meetings outside of work environment, organized by Occupational Health Service in collaboration with health promotion experts of Medical University - Pleven. Results At the beginning (2014), about 2/3 of participants distrust of the proposed approaches. To adapt the training to needs of the audience, a study on the barriers and difficulties in carrying out health promotion activities at workplace was made. Participants were also asked about aspects of WHP that they interested in. During the following meetings (every year from 2014 until now), interest to the WHP and approaches of its implementation have been increasing. Participants improved their activity in discussions, interactive approaches for teaching and training get preferable. Lessons Lack of knowledge about health promotion concept and its principles predispose to distrust of its potential for public health improvement. Positive attitude to the concept could be established by increasing knowledge and skills in this area and by providing examples of good practices and results. Key messages Workplace Health Promotion become increasingly relevant field of action because of aging workforce and new occupational hazards, but there are some barriers and difficulties in its implementation. Annual training of employers and employees in Workplace health promotion improve the capability for implementation of the concept and for utilization its potential for better health of working people.