District nurses' self-reported clinical activities, beliefs about and attitudes towards obesity management.
OBJECTIVE
To describe district nurses' self-reported clinical activities, beliefs about and attitudes towards obesity management; and to examine associations between the variables.


BACKGROUND
Obesity is increasing worldwide and primary care could play a central role in the management.


METHODS
Questionnaire data were collected from 247 nurses in 33 centres.


RESULTS
The most common activities performed weekly were; advice about physical activity (40.1%) and general lifestyle advice (34.8%). However, nearly one third seldom/never performed these activities. Approximately half seldom/never performed BMI assessment and even fewer waist circumference (78.1%). Values for the factors Importance of obesity and Personal effectiveness were skewed towards a positive view and Negative view close to neutral. Multivariate analysis revealed that nurses with specialized tasks, longer working experience and higher perceived personal effectiveness performed more clinical activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Managers need to make efforts to engage all personnel in obesity management; and strategies to increase self-efficacy are called for.
Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden. Electronic address: Maria.Engstrom@hig.se.
Maria
M
Engström
Bernice
B
Skytt
Annica
A
Ernesäter
Birgitta
B
Fläckman
Anna-Greta
AG
Mamhidir
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000451:nursing*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
Attitudes; Beliefs; District nurses; Obesity management