Abstract
Background
Since 2015, workplace health promotion measures (WHPM) are implemented in the German Federal Armed Forces (GFAF). Here the aim was to evaluate patterns of the use of measures implemented applying a diversity perspective and reasons for not participating.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from 06-09/2022. The survey invitation was addressed to around 220.000 employees of the German Federal Armed Forces (GFAF). The odds were adjusted for relevant baseline characteristics in logistic regression models.
Results
In total 23.568 (10.5%) employees participated (military: 58,3%; women (w): 29,0%; mean age 42.0 ± SD 11.37 years; WHPM yes: 54,6%). Measures in the field of physical activity were used most by all employees (26,6%; 6263/12406) followed by measures regarding healthy nutrition (4,5%; 1056/12406), stress reduction (4,4%; 1048/12406) and measures addressing addictive behavior (1,6%; 371/12406). Employees with a higher educational background had a 18% higher chance to participate in all measures (OR 1.18; 95%; CI [0.88, 1.61]), whereas male employees had a 30% lower chance than female employees (OR 0.70; 95%; CI [0.63, 0.77]), military employees had a 21% (OR 0.79; 95%; CI [0.71, 0.88]) lower chance to participate compared to civilian employees and employees working shifts had a 32% lower chance (OR 0.68; 95%; CI [0.53, 0.88]) to participate. No significant differences were found between employees with or without children. As main reasons for not participating no time (men (m): 45% (3816/8502); w: 39% (1561/4028)) and no adequate measures (w: 42% (1701/4028); m: 40%; 3429/8501) were mentioned.
Conclusions
There are differences in the use of WHPM by sex/gender, employment status and educational background. Measures need to take the specific needs of different groups of employees into account to increase participation and thus contribute to better health and wellbeing at work and thus improve work ability.
*shared last authorship
Key messages
• There are differences regarding the participation in workplace health promotion measures by sex/gender, employment status and educational
• Diversity aspects need to be taken into consideration when designing workplace health promotion measures.