EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS AMONG HEALTH WORKERS: RESULTS OF TWO INTERVENTIONS IN A LARGE ITALIAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

Introduction Health promotion (HP) is an important goal of Occupational Medicine. Workplace interventions showed their effectiveness in improving employees’ health. However, studies on health workers (HW) are few and limited, involving small groups. The aim of this research was to evaluate the usefulness of HP programs (HPP) in a large University Hospital. Methods In 2020, two online screening questionnaires were addressed to the over 4,900 HW belonging to the University Hospital of Verona. Salt consumption (SC) was assessed through MINISAL questionnaire, while the risk of sleep apnea (SA) was evaluated through STOP-BANG. HW at high risk for high SC were invited to an individual counseling session and a 6-month follow-up, while polygraphy was offered to HW at high risk for SA. Results MINISAL and STOP-BANG were filled out by 34% and 31% of the study population. In particular, 350 were included in the high SC category and 212 in the high risk for SA. Follow-up examinations were performed in 95 HW; 83% showed a reduction in SC. Polygraphy was performed in 64 HW; 69% were diagnosed with SA and a pulmonological examination was therefore recommended. Discussion The prevalence of HW at high risk for high SC or SA was low, as compared to the general population. The percentage of HW participating in HP programs and the adherence to counseling recommendations were good, showing a high awareness among HW. Conclusion Our studies confirmed the effectiveness of HPP among HW. Screening questionnaires are low-cost and easy-to-perform tools, very useful in involving large working populations.