Evaluation of a programme of health measurements and advice among hospital staff

This paper reports the evaluation of a pilot health promotion initiative among hospital staff. Health screening and advice were available during one week. Staff who attended completed a questionnaire about diet, alcohol, exercise, smoking, stress and health perceptions. They were randomly assigned to receive advice and set targets for changing their lifestyle or simply to be given their results. A sample of non-attending staff was sent the same questionnaire. Attenders were invited to return after six months. Of the 297 staff who attended the first session, 83 returned after six months. Of the non-attending staff, 192 returned a questionnaire. Attenders were older, more concerned and more knowledgeable about their health and under-represented by clinical and manual staff. Weight, exercise frequency and perceptions of health were related to the likelihood of re-attending. Those in the ‘advice’ group were more likely to lose weight and increase their exercise. It is difficult to achieve wide participation in health promotion activities but a simple intervention can have useful effects.