A study to determine the relationship between knowledge of health practices, amount of patient contact and personal health practices of hospital employees

This study examined the relationship between knowledge of health practices, amount of patient contact, and health practices of hospital employees. Subjects were obtained by selecting a random sample of departments from an urban acute-care hospital and requesting participation from employees.

Employees completed a set of 3 surveys. Each subject received a score on their knowledge of health practices (KHPSC) and a score on their actual health practices (HPSC). The mean KHPSC of the sample was less than 70%.

There was a significant and positive relationship between KHPSC and HPSC of subjects. Level of education was also positively correlated with HPSC of subjects. There was a significant difference in the HPSC of subjects when grouped according to type of work. The amount of patient contact of employees did not significantly influence their HPSC. They are aware of the connection between health practices and health status.

The subjects could reduce their risk for disease through health education; role-models are available at the site who are knowledgeable. The unique problems of shift workers and the determinants of health behaviors of registered nurses need to be assessed.