title: Evaluation of a web based tool to improve health behaviours in healthcare staff.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A web-based tool was developed and piloted by being made available to healthcare staff in Wales from September 2012 to March 2013. This evaluation included two primary outcome measures: general health and mental well-being, and six secondary outcome measures: sickness absence, alcohol use, healthy eating, smoking, physical activity and maintaining a healthy BMI. The aim was to assess the feasibility of a web-based tool to improve health behaviours in healthcare staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthcare staff joined via a website, chose two of five challenges, and recorded their health behaviours using an online tool on a regular basis. Evaluation was undertaken by comparing baseline and follow up questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1708 individuals explored the programme's website, of whom 1320 selected two lifestyle challenges to address. Of these 346 individuals (26.2%; 346/1320) completed the end of project evaluation questions for the main outcome and provided the basis of the evaluation. Comparing pre:post data among respondents who engaged with the programme as a whole, self-reported general health status improved in 35.3% (n = 122, p = 0.001); mental health status improved in 33% (n = 110, p = 0.02); alcohol consumption score (AUDIT-C classification) fell in 27.2% (n = 71, p = 0.001); reported fruit and vegetable consumption (7 day recall) increased (p = 0.001); average time spent on vigorous exercise increased from 40.6 minutes a week to 67.6 minutes a week (p = 0.001); and 41 individuals noted a positive change to their BMI classification category (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining interactive web-based tools as part of a multi-media programme is feasible, increases health behaviours and generates interest among a proportion of the healthcare workforce. Further work is required to improve maintenance of engagement over time.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Primary Care & Public Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS UK.
authors.forename: Hugo C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: van Woerden
authors.affiliation: Public Health Wales, Haydn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ashton
authors.affiliation: Public Health Wales, Haydn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garlick
authors.affiliation: 53 Pinecrest Drive, Cardiff, CF14 9DW UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.affiliation: Public Health Wales, 14 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Public Health Wales, 14 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ UK.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willson
authors.affiliation: Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace and Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NW UK.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Joint Research Office, Block 60, Churchill Hospital Old Rd, Oxford, OX3 7LE UK.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kiparoglou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Primary Care & Public Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Potter