Barriers and facilitators for participation in health promotion programs among employees: a six-month follow-up study

Abstract

BackgroundHealth promotion programs (HPPs) are thought to improve health behavior and health, and their effectiveness is increasingly being studied. However, participation in HPPs is usually modest and effect sizes are often small. This study aims to (1) gain insight into the degree of participation of employees in HPPs, and (2) identify factors among employees that are associated with both their intention to participate and actual participation in HPPs.MethodsEmployees of two organizations were invited to participate in a six-month follow-up study (n = 744). Using questionnaires, information on participation in HPPs was collected in two categories: employees’ intention at baseline to participate and their actual participation in a HPP during the follow-up period. The following potential determinants were assessed at baseline: social-cognitive factors, perceived barriers and facilitators, beliefs about health at work, health behaviors, and self-perceived health. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for demographics and organization, were used to examine associations between potential determinants and intention to participate, and to examine the effect of these determinants on actual participation during follow-up.ResultsAt baseline, 195 employees (26%) expressed a positive intention towards participation in a HPP. During six months of follow-up, 83 employees (11%) actually participated. Participants positively inclined at baseline to participate in a HPP were more likely to actually participate (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.88-4.83). Privacy-related barriers, facilitators, beliefs about health at work, social-cognitive factors, and poor self-perceived health status were significantly associated with intention to participate. The odds of employees actually participating in a HPP were higher among participants who at baseline perceived participation to be expected by their colleagues and supervisor (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.17-7.02) and among those who said they found participation important (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.76-4.49).ConclusionsParticipation in HPPs among employees is limited. Intention to participate predicted actual participation in a HPP after six months of follow-up. However, only 21% of employees with a positive intention actually participated during follow-up. Barriers, facilitators, beliefs about health at work, social-cognitive factors, and a poor self-perceived health status were associated with intention to participate, but hardly influenced actual participation during follow-up.

’n Evaluering van die welstand onder werknemers van ’n mediesefondsmaatskappy in Suid-Afrika

“…Die grondslag van hierdie beweegrede is dat 'n groot persentasie van die bevolking geteiken sal word, insluitende diegene wat lewenstylverbetering nodig het (Rongen et al 2014). Om welstandingryping in die werkplek te ontwerp, is dit egter nodig om te bepaal hoe werknemers gesondheid en welstand beskou en om toets-en sifmaatreëls in te stel ten einde werknemers se gesondheiden welstandbehoeftes te bepaal.…”

“…Hoewel die behoefte aan fisieke welstandingryping geïdentifiseer is en die voordele bekend is, is dit nodig om aandag te gee aan versperrings en fasiliteerders vir deelname aan 'n werkplekwelstandprogram. Versperrings wat geïdentifiseer is, sluit in gebrek aan tyd, gebrek aan motivering, gebrek aan hulpbronne, ongunstige werkskedule en werknemers wat reeds gesond voel (Rongen et al 2014;Wierenga et al 2013). Fasiliteerders wat geïdentifiseer is, sluit in bereidheid om jou lewenstyl te verander, werkplekkultuur en sterk steun deur die bestuur (Rongen et al 2014;Wierenga et al 2013).…”

Barriers to Enrollment in a Pharmacist-Led Fitness, Nutrition, and Weight Management Coaching Program

“…11 This difference could be due to our WHPP's focus on weight, which can be a source of embarrassment or previous discrimination in the workplace for overweight and obese patients. 12 Therefore, our study indicates WHPPs with this focus may want to emphasize private coaching sessions. Although the majority of respondents preferred meeting at the pharmacy, some did express interest in meeting remotely (via telephone or video chat).…”

“…[11][12][13][14] Prior studies report that "lack of perceived need to participate" is a common barrier. However, we observed low ratings for the "I feel that I am already at a healthy weight" and "I do not feel lifestyle changes are a priority at this point" barriers.…”

“…Wing et al reported that, although individuals who indicate interest in WHPPs are more likely to participate in the future, only 21% of those that expressed interest actually participated 6 months after the survey. 12 Although these individuals fitting these demographic characteristics could be targeted for recruitment; it would seem more beneficial to focus on reducing reported barriers for all potential participants.…”