Health promoting practices and personal lifestyle behaviors of Brazilian health professionals.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Karen D. Hidalgo, JFK Medical Center; Grégore I. Mielke, Federal University of Pelotas; Diana C. Parra, Washington University in St. Louis; Felipe Lobelo, Emory University; Eduardo J. Simões, University of Missouri; Grace O. Gomes, Federal University of Sao Carlos; Alex A. Florindo, University of Sao Paulo; Mário Bracco, Center of Studies and Research; Lenildo Moura, Pan-American Health Organization; Ross C. Brownson, Washington University in St. Louis; Michael Pratt, University of California San Diego; Luiz R. Ramos, Federal University of São Paulo; Pedro C. Hallal, Federal University of Pelotas
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-10-24
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s). 2016
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3778-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BMC Public Health
• ISSN: 1471-2458
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1114
• End Page: 1114
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Prevention Research Centers Program contract grant U48/DP001903 (Applying Evidence–Physical Activity Recommendations in Brazil).
• Keywords: Lifestyle behavior; Health care; Health promotion; Counseling; Brazil
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the lifestyle behaviors and health promoting practices of physicians, nurses, and community health workers in Brazil. METHODS: A random sample of primary health care units in Brazil was selected, and a pretested questionnaire was administered via phone interviews, in 2011, to 182 physicians, 347 nurses, and 269 community health workers, totaling 798 health professionals. The total initial sample included 1600 eligible health professionals. Variables measured included physical activity, alcohol intake, hours of sleep, diet, and perceived self-efficacy to provide preventive counseling on related lifestyle behaviors. RESULTS: More than 25 % of physicians, nurses, and community health workers reported eating 0-2 portions of fruits and vegetables per day. In terms of cervical and breast cancer, nurses reported to be 'very prepared' to advise patients on these topics more frequently than physicians. The prevalence of smoking ranged from 4.9 % among nurses to 7.4 % among community health workers. The proportion of physical inactivity ranged from 40.3 % among nurses to 52.1 % among community health workers. CONCLUSION: A reasonably high proportion of physicians, nurses, and community health workers report not engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors that impact chronic diseases, thus, they may be less likely to encourage such behaviors in their patients.