Health Behaviour among Nurses Working in Public Hospitals in Kakamega County, Kenya
Date
2017Author
Mchidi, Kiguhe Nebert
Agina, B. M. Okello
Yitambe, Andre
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Health behaviour refers to actions undertaken by a person who perceives self to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate
remedy. Nurses as gate keepers of health are expected to seek formal treatment when they are taken ill because this is what they
teach their patients. Nurses’ working conditions all over the world are described as squalid with long working hours and workload.
This scenario predisposes them to occupational health hazards and at the same time denies them time for self-care. Although nurses
are knowledgeable about disease and its treatment and have access to health care, they engage in self-treatment in contrast to what
they teach patients.Health behaviour among nurses in Kakamega County was investigated using a cross-sectional design. Data was
collected using self-administered questionnaires and subjected to bivariate and logistic regression analyses. The study found that
health behaviour of nurses in Kakamega County is below expectation, as 33% (𝑛 = 61) engaged in voluntary screening services.
Further, 34.8% (𝑛 = 65) said that their health would improve if they engaged in health promotion activities.Thestudy recommends
empowering nurses to engage in positive health behaviour through education. The county should also provide affordable screening
services to its nurses.
URI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4683189http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6978
