Conference presentation
Truckies and workplace health promotion: Targeting a hard-to-reach group
Population Health Congress, 2015 (Hobart, Australia, 06-Sep-2015–09-Sep-2015)
2015
Abstract
Introduction: Research identifies truck drivers as being at high risk of chronic disease. For most truck drivers their workplace is their vehicle. Truck drivers' health is impacted by the limitations of this unique working environment, including reduced opportunities for physical activity and the intake of healthy foods. Workplaces are widely recognised as effective platforms for health promotion. However, the effectiveness of traditional and contemporary health promotion interventions in truck drivers' novel workplace is unknown. This project worked with six transport industry workplaces in Queensland, Australia over a two-year period. Researchers used Participatory Action Research (PAR) processes to engage truck drivers and workplace managers in the implementation and evaluation of six workplace health promotion interventions. These interventions were designed to support truck drivers to increase their physical activity and access to healthy foods at work. They included traditional health promotion interventions such as a free fruit initiative, a ten thousand steps challenge, personal health messages and workplace posters, and a contemporary social media intervention. Participants were engaged via focus groups, interviews and mixed-methods surveys. The project achieved positive changes in truck drivers' health knowledge and health behaviours, particularly related to nutrition. There were positive changes in truck drivers' self-reported health rating, body mass index (BMI) and readiness to make health-related lifestyle changes. There were also positive changes in truck drivers reporting their workplace as a key source of health information. These changes were underpinned by a positive shift in the culture of participating workplaces. Truck drivers' perceptions of their workplace valuing, encouraging, modelling and facilitating healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviours improved. PAR processes enabled researchers to develop relationships with workplace managers, contextualise interventions and deliver rigorous outcomes. Despite the novelty of truck drivers' mobile workplace, traditional health promotion interventions were more effective than contemporary ones. In this workplace health promotion project targeting a 'hard-to-reach' group of truck drivers, a combination of well-designed traditional workplace interventions and the PAR process resulted in positive health outcomes.
Details
- Title
- Truckies and workplace health promotion: Targeting a hard-to-reach group
- Authors
- Marguerite C Sendall (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyLaura K McCosker (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyHerbert C Biggs (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyPhilip R Crane (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyMary-Lou Fleming (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyRebecca Ramsey (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyBevan D Rowland (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Conference details
- Population Health Congress, 2015 (Hobart, Australia, 06-Sep-2015–09-Sep-2015)
- Date published
- 2015
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450682002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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