Optimization of health promotion in the work of nurses

Abstract

Introduction. The primary objective of promoting healthy lifestyle is to change behaviors, habits and traditions and make them healthier. This requires time and permanent health education. The central figures in health promotion are nurses. They can contribute to reach the healthideals at the community level, by systemic use of the means, techniques and methods necessary for the development of sanogenetic behaviors. Aim of the study. Assessment of nurses`contribution in optimizing the promotion of healthy lifestyle among population within the Health Centers at the community level. Materials and methods. The study is a descriptive one, and the volume of sample is integral and selective. The whole study analyzed the activity of nurses in the promotion of community health at the community level in the Health Centers of three economic-geographicar eas of the Republic of Moldova. 352 of nurses were assessed to identify the level of knowledge in the promotion of health within the Health Centers at the community level. The results of the study will allow the development of a set of measures to improve the health of the population by optimizing the nurses`contribution in promoting a healthy lifestyle at the community level. Results. As a result of the three dimensional assessment of the general level of knowledge in the health promotion of the whole lot of population, a the community level, were obtained the following results: "1-4 points–low level of knowledge" was recorded at 62.0 ± 1.8% of the total number of surveyed people, "5-7 points - average level of knowledge" - at 23.0 ± 1.6% and "8-10 points - high level of knowledge"- at 15.0 ± 1.3%. The general level of knowledge of nurses in health promotion was assessed by the "General knowledge level scale". According to this scale, the low level of knowledge, correspond to 1-4 points, registered a statistical weight of 53.5 ± 2.6%, and the average and high level corresponded to5-7 points, 46.5 ± 2.6%, with an increase of (-13) and (t = 1.90 and p <0.05), with a statistically significant difference. The results of the study confirm that the level of knowledge in promoting the health of the population and nurses is low. Conclusions. The results of the study allowed us to develop two methodological elaborations and a guide for the promotion of the health at the community level. The study showed that the rising of the level of knowledge among nurses, can provide qualitative health promotion and medical screening services. This will help to prevent noncommunicable chronic diseases among community populations and reduce medical outgoings.