Health Behavior and some Lifestyle Variables among Health Care Workers at Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad.

A. Bdiwi, Issam; M. Jamel, Jamal

	Health Behavior and some Lifestyle Variables among Health Care Workers at Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad.
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 26, Issue 1, 2013, Pages 30-36
Authors
Issam A. Bdiwi; Jamal M. Jamel
Abstract
Abstract: Background: Healthy lifestyles include contact with medical professionals for check-ups and preventive care. They also involve decisions about food, exercise, relaxation, coping with stress, smoking, alcohol and drug use. Self-assessed health combines the subjective experience of disease with general lack of well-being, such as feeling run down and tired. The importance of the study comes when health care workers are aware of their health, they will be capable of inducing changes in community health behaviors. According to researchers’ knowledge, no previous study on health self-assessment was done in Iraq. Objective: The study objectives is to figure out the lifestyle health related social behavior profile of health care workers in PHCCs, and to focus on related health self- assessment variables. Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted during the period from February through June 2011, on a sample of 544 health care workers selected via simple random sampling of 30 primary health care centers in Baghdad, assessing their health behavior and lifestyle, using a comprehensive questionnaire form. Results: Health care workers mean age 36.6±10.15, and mean service years 13.6±10.11. Males & females were 47% & 53% respectively. The majority (82%) were non-smokers. Dietary behaviors were variable: where 59% regularly eat fruits and vegetables, 69% use vegetable oil in cooking, and 70% are regular soft drink consumers. Only 48% of health care workers self-rated their health as good. Health self assessment was significantly associated with residency, marital status, and education. Only 32 % of the sample did regular medical check-ups. One fifth of health care workers reported suffering from chronic disease(s). Ninety percent take positive actions when suffer from medical problem. The majority (62%) reported rather negative behavior for stress relief. During leisure time, 55% did home duties. Only 17%, practice sport regularly, which was significantly associated with health self assessment. Conclusion: The study does not support the idea that health care workers report healthier lifestyle than general population. Key words: health care workers, healthy life style, health self assessment
Keywords
health care workers; healthy life style; health self assessment

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