Selected aspects of secondary school teachers’ healthful behaviour

Introduction. Health is a crucial value in human life. It is dependent on numerous factors and, in great measure, on preferred healthful
behaviour. Healthful behaviour increases the health potential, protects from threats and restores individuals to health. Teachers should shape
healthful attitudes and behaviour and acquire knowledge about health. Such activities may contribute to the fact that students will be able
to take decisions to have a healthful lifestyle, essential for retaining and improving their own and other people’s health.

Aim of the study. To examine secondary school teaches’ healthful behaviour.

Material and methods. The survey was conducted in 2010 among 88 teachers working at two secondary schools in Nowy Sącz. Diagnostic
survey method was used, the tool being an original questionnaire. The outcome of the survey was subject to statistical analysis with the use
of Statistica 8.0 computer program, applying c2 test and Mann-Whitney test.

Results. Nearly half of the respondents (48.86%) discern the need to change healthful behaviour in their lifestyles, but only 19.32% have
taken action to do it. No significant correlation has been found between taking action to change one’s lifestyle and respondent’ gender
(p = 0.1139) and age (p = 0.1576). The majority of the teachers (55.68%) discern the need to supplement their knowledge regarding healthful
behaviour. No significant correlation has been found (p = 0.0995) between the need to supplement healthful behaviour knowledge and the
respondents’ gender. Nearly all surveyed teachers think that they can be role models for students through their own healthful behaviour.

Conclusions. Surveyed teachers are aware that their healthful behaviour should be changed, especially as far as their dietary habits, using
substances and physical activity, because they perceive themselves as role models for students in this respect.

Nursing Topics 2011; 19 (2): 210–218