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Issues related to participation in worksite health promotion: a preliminary study
B E Mavis1, T J Stachnik, C A Gibson
1Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with participation in worksite-based health promotion activities.
Design:
Follow-up interviews were used to identify demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral differences among three employee groups. Reasons employees chose not to participate in health promotion activities were also explored.
Setting:
All respondents were employed at a large midwestern university and were eligible to participate in free onsite health fairs and health promotion programs.
Subjects:
A stratified random sample of 89 nonparticipants, health fair participants, and behavior change program participants was interviewed.
Measures:
The interview was comprised of questions related to demographic information, personal health habits, physical activity, perceived health status, perceived self-efficacy, worksite norms, health promoting lifestyle factors, and knowledge about health promotion activities.
Results:
ANOVA and chi-squared comparisons revealed few group differences. Graduate students and employees with advanced degrees were most likely to take part in health fairs. Behavior change program participants were older, clerical-technical staff members, and women. Faculty members were least likely to participate. A lack of time was the most often cited reason for nonparticipation.
Conclusions:
The study was retrospective and the analyses limited due to low statistical power. The results suggest that different groups of employees are attracted to different types of health promotion activities.