Monitoring a cohort of trainees: changes over time and associations between health literacy, health behaviour and health

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (London, England) · 3 authors, 2 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATIONTrainees in various vocational sectors in Germany, surveyed at baseline (2017/18) and first year after training (2021).

INTERVENTIONNot an intervention study; observational cohort monitoring.

COMPARISONComparisons between time points (T0 vs. T3) and between health literacy groups (inadequate vs. adequate).

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This longitudinal cohort study monitored trainees from training into their first year of work during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding high rates of limited health literacy, unhealthy behaviors, and poor psychological well-being, with a cross-sectional but not longitudinal association between health literacy and well-being.

Full summary

1,197 CHARS

The study followed a cohort of German trainees from baseline in 2017/18 to their first year of employment in 2021 (T3). The sample at follow-up was 129 participants, with a low follow-up rate of 10.2%, predominantly female (85%) and aged 25.6 years on average. Key cross-sectional findings at T3 included 47% with limited health literacy, 67% with low physical exercise, 30% with risky alcohol use, 42% overweight, and 42% with poor psychological well-being. A statistically significant cross-sectional association was found between inadequate health literacy and poor psychological well-being (OR: 3.2, p=0.037). No significant longitudinal associations were observed between health literacy and health behaviors or health indicators. The study notes significant deterioration in work-related psychosocial factors for those in health and social welfare sectors. Limitations include high dropout, potential selection bias, small sample size, combined occupational sectors, reliance on self-report, and the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic. The implications suggest a need for workplace preventive measures to support health behavior and well-being for young employees transitioning into the workforce.

PICO

PPOPULATION

Trainees in various vocational sectors in Germany, surveyed at baseline (2017/18) and first year after training (2021).

IINTERVENTION

Not an intervention study; observational cohort monitoring.

OOUTCOME

Changes over time and associations in health literacy (HLS-EU-16), health behavior (exercise, nutrition, smoking, alcohol), health indicators (BMI, psychological well-being, subjective health), and work-related psychosocial factors (COPSOQ).

STUDY TYPE

cohort

SPECIALTY

public health

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10466870

Monitoring a cohort of trainees: changes over time and associations between health literacy, health behaviour and health

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (London, England)

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ABSTRACT

Background For many entrants, the initial stages of professional training are a challenge. Demands at work can lead to new physical and psychological stress, as well as new social requirements. These new requirements can influence the health behaviour and the state of health of young employees. In recent years, there have been many studies on health literacy (HL). HL represents resources and potentials that allow individuals to achieve improved control of their health and of factors that influence health. Thus, HL can influence both well-being and health. In the present study, the health of trainees in different branches (health and welfare services, office, sales, technology) is monitored over time ending in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the association between health literacy and health or health behaviour has been examined. Methods In 2017/18, a baseline survey (T0) was performed on trainees in various sectors (office, sales, teaching, nursing and social welfare, engineering, hairdressers), who had been contacted through vocational colleges in four federal states in north Germany. The trainees were surveyed again in the in the first year after training in 2021 (T3). Demographic data were collected, as well as information on health literacy (HLS-EU-16), health behaviour (physical exercise, nutrition, smoking and alcohol) and state of health (BMI, psychological well-being and subjective state of health). Recognition, satisfaction at work and thoughts of leaving the profession were surveyed with the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). Statistical analysis was performed with tests for paired samples and multivariate regression analysis in SPSS 26. Results 129 data sets were evaluated, with a follow-up rate of 10.2%. 85% of the trainees were female. The mean age at follow-up was 25.6 years. 56% were employed in the health service or social welfare. 35% worked in the office, sales or engineering. At T3, 47% of the employees exhibited limited health literacy, 67% low levels of exercise and 30% risky alcohol use. 42% exhibited overweight and 42% poor psychological well-being. An association between health literacy (HL) and psychological well-being was only observed in cross-section (HL inadequate vs. HL adequate OR: 3.2 95% CI: 1.07–9.49, p = 0.037). The odds ratio relative to subjective state of health was also increased, although the association was not statistically significant (HL inadequate vs. HL adequate OR: 2.7 95% CI: 0.72–9.78, p = 0.143). In the sector for health service and social welfare, there was statistically significant deterioration over time in all COPSOQ variables (recognition, satisfaction at work, thoughts of leaving the profession). Conclusions For a group of trainees in the first year of work during the covid-19 epidemic, the present findings show that there is a need to prevent risky health behaviour, overweight and poor psychological well-being. Health literacy was shown to be a modifiable parameter, that apparently is associated in cross – but not in longitudinal section with the health of young employees. It would appear to be reasonable to modify developing health literacy in the setting of work and school.

CITATION EXPORT

Peter Koch, Jan Felix Kersten, Albert Nienhaus. Monitoring a cohort of trainees: changes over time and associations between health literacy, health behaviour and health. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (London, England). (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-023-00387-1

AUTHORS

3 · 2 CENTRES

Peter Koch, Jan Felix Kersten, Albert Nienhaus

1https://ror.org/03wjwyj98grid.480123.c0000 0004 0553 3068Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
2Department for Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Health Sciences (AGG), German Social Accident Insurance for the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany