Healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life status of public health directorate workers in a city of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Health promotion services are primarily provided by public health directorates in our country. Therefore, identifying healthy lifestyle behaviors in health workers serving in these directorates is important. The quality of life status of health care workers matters for both their health and the health of individuals and the society they serve. This study aimed to assess the status of healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life in health care workers and identify the relationship of these two elements with each other and with other factors. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by applying Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II (HLSBS II) and Turkish Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF-TR) to the staff of a public health directorate. Results: The HLSBS II scores of participants ≥40 years old, females, participants who exercise and participants who work as civil servants were higher. The participants with the lowest income had lower HLSBS II and WHOQOL-BREF-TR scale scores. The participants who work as subcontracted workers had lower WHOQOL-BREF-TR scale scores. There was a positive correlation between the two scales (ρ=0.584 p<0.001). Conclusion: The studies targeting to develop healthy lifestyle behaviors in society should focus on both genders and all age groups. Policies aimed at improving any area of health should also include eliminating socioeconomic disparities. Exercise is a component of healthy lifestyle behaviors and also an encouraging factor for other health promoting behaviors. Improving the quality of life of the individuals in society enables developing healthy lifestyle behaviors or vice versa.