J Korean Acad Soc Nurs Educ.  2024 Feb;30(1):39-48. 10.5977/jkasne.2024.30.1.39.

Nurses’ healthy behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors

• Lee EK
• Kim JS

• KMID: 2553084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5977/jkasne.2024.30.1.39

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to examine nurses’ healthy behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was adapted, and data were collected from 300 hospital nurses between August and November 2021. The nurses’ characteristics, healthy behaviors, COVID-19 stress levels, health self-efficacy, and nursing professional pride were self-reported using structured questionnaires. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to identify factors related to nurses’ healthy behaviors.
Results
Healthy lifestyle was the lowest among the subscales of healthy behaviors. Nurses’ healthy behaviors were related to age (B=0.15, p=.021), COVID-19 stress level (B=-0.08, p=.007), nursing professional pride (B=0.19, p<.001), and health self-efficacy (B=0.38, p<.001).
Conclusion
To enhance nurses’ healthy lifestyles during the pandemic, organizational support is needed, such as ensuring facilities for rest or physical activities accessible from the hospital and supplying healthy food in hospitals. Younger nurses, nurses with high levels of COVID-19 stress, and nurses with lower health self-efficacy may benefit from hospital organizations that provide more support and guidance in promoting health behaviors. Furthermore, hospital organizations should promote professional pride by empowering nurses’ efforts and reinforcing their values.

Keyword

Nurses, Health behavior, Professionalism, Self efficacy, COVID-19; 간호사, 건강행동, 전문성, 자기효능감, 코로나19