Predicting Factors of Health Behavior among Primary Teacher

Abstract

     This descriptive predictive research aimed to study the health behaviors and predictive factors of primary school teachers’ health behavior by PRECEDE - PROCEED conceptual framework. 300 participants were selected as samples on a random basis from schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Amphoe Mueang, Nakhon Pathom province. Data were collected using self-completion questionnaires distributed to the sample group. The research instruments consisted of 4 sets of questionnaires: 1) Demographic data form, 2) Health literacy questionnaires, 3) Social support questionnaires (from their family, colleagues and supervisors) and 4) Health behavior questionnaires, with a content validity index between .93 - 1.00, and the reliability value of between .84 - .96. Data were analyzed with the use descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation.

     The findings indicated that the overall and aspect-specific health behaviors were at moderate level ( = 104.66, S.D = 13.29). The overall and aspect-specific health literacy were at moderate level ( = 85.26, S.D = 13.45). Furthermore, from the predictive factors study, the predisposing factor was health literacy (β = .47). Reinforcing factor was social support from family, colleagues and supervisors (β = .35). The enabling factor was the place to exercise at home (β = .14). These three factors can together predict 50% of teachers’ health behaviors (R2adj = .50). This study suggested that community health nurse practitioners should utilize the information obtained from this research to plan and organize a health literacy promotion program to encourage teachers to exercise at home and to receive health support from their family, colleagues and supervisors at school. This would help ensure teachers’ healthy behaviors so that they could be good role models for the students and the society.