Analysis of health behaviors and the significance of health among occupationally-active persons

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. Health is a positive and superior value for every human being, which we want to maintain and reinforce. Health initiative skills should be developed not only in the adolescence phase, but also in the period of active participation in occupational and private life. Today, important recipients of all educational and health-promoting activities are occupationally-active persons, who reflect the state of health of the whole society through their own state of health. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the health behavior of working persons and to obtain opinions on the value of health among occupationally-active persons. Material and methods. The studies were conducted among working people who, in the months from February to March 2018, reported for periodic examinations to an Occupational Medicine Outpatient Clinic in a Nonpublic Healthcare Facility in Kielce. Two standardized questionnaires were used in the study: The Health Behavior Inventory and the List of Health Criteria. Results. Women score higher on the HBI scale than men. In addition, education proved to be an important determinant of health behaviors. Respondents with primary education present a lower level of health behaviors than those with higher education. The analysis of our own studies shows that the respondents attach the highest importance to health defined as a state, a property and a purpose. For the respondents, being healthy means: “to feel good”, “not to feel any pain”, “to have all parts of the body in good condition”, “to accept oneself and know one’s capabilities” or “not to come down with illnesses, maybe with flu or indigestion at most”. Conclusions. The main activities of long-term health education in the workplace should take into account the individual needs of workers, especially those elements which, in the workers’ assessment, constitute their own definition of health and health determinants.