[Assessment of needs for supporting workers' health based on a large institution survey].
BACKGROUND
To acquire information on health needs determined by the employees themselves is an essential condition for setting the objectives of the enterprise health policy. The survey serving this purpose can be performed with use of a questionnaire, which facilitates the collection of employees' opinions and judgments on their own health, their behavior r having a strong impact on health, as well as on working conditions, organization of work, social climate and potential for the professional development. The emphasis should be put on factors affecting health, the impact of which can be modified by various promotional and preventive actions at the workplace.


METHODS
The paper presents the results of such a survey made in 2005 in a large institution employing 440 employees.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of those who returned completed questionnaires (306 persons, 69.5%) had submitted proposals to the management of investigated institution to undertake a set of actions supporting employees in preventing and overcoming symptoms of ill health. The reported complaints (e.g., back pain, diminished psychic welfare due to the work-related stress) may lead, in the opinion of employees, to the deterioration of health status and ability to work. A substantial part of respondents suggested organization of educational courses to advance their professional skills. The collected data also indicate the need to slightly modify the questionnaire used in the survey.
Nosko
Jan
J
Szkoła Zdrowia Publicznego, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Lódź. nosko@imp.lodz.pl
Marcinkiewicz
Andrzej
A
Barański
Bogusław
B
D000328:Adult; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration