Graduate Research Papers

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Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the state of worksite health promotion programs in the Quad Cities. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect the data. The study was delimited to the twenty-five largest companies/employers in the Quad Cities. The results of this study were based on responses received from 23 (92%) of the organizations. Percentages and frequencies were calculated for the responses to each item on the questionnaire.

Telephone contact was made to the organizations to determine whether or not their organization currently offered a worksite health promotion program for employees. Of the 65.2 % of the organizations that did offer a worksite health promotion program, respondents were invited to complete the questionnaire to describe their program. On-site wellness activities were the most frequently reported benefit offered by all of the organizations except for one. Reimbursement for programs purchased elsewhere and reimbursement for screening exams were offered by almost half of the organizations. The most frequently cited source of financial support for the programs came from within the organizations.

It was indicated by three-fourths of the respondents that the person(s) responsible for planning and/or implementing the worksite health promotion program was a paid staff person with over half of them being part-time positions. It was indicated that the most common outside resource used was the local hospital with over half of the organizations reporting this resource. Volunteer health organizations and the local or state health agencies were also used by many of the respondents. All except for one organization used bulletin boards to advertise and encourage their employees to participate in the worksite health promotion opportunities being offered. Monthly newsletters and pay envelope or direct mail fliers were used by over half of the participating organizations. Of the various health promotion activities directly sponsored by the organization, five were checked by over half of the participating organizations: (a) CPR training; (b) work and home safety practices; (c) alcohol abuse; (d) exercise or fitness; and (e) stress management. The most commonly used methods, materials, and activities were in-house newsletters, exercise/fitness programs, and guest speakers.

Of the 32% of the organizations that did not offer a program, respondents were asked to indicate the reasons they did not have a program. The most commonly reported reasons were lack of interest from management and lack of knowledge concerning available opportunities for participation.

The organizations were classified into three different size categories: (a) 300-1000; (b) 1001-3000; and (c) over 3000. Over half of the organizations with an employee population of 300-1000 offered worksite health promotion opportunities to their employees. Three-fourths of the organizations with an employee population of 1001-3000 offered worksite health promotion opportunities to their employees and all of the organizations with an employee population of over 3000 offered worksite health promotion opportunities to their employees. The data revealed as the employee population increases so does the percentage of those offering a worksite health promotion program.

Year of Submission

2001

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Thomas M. Davis

Comments

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Date Original

8-2001

Language

en

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