Effects of a behavior change intervention for a healthier lifestyle for primary care workers

• Grant number: 18/17653-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Grace Angélica de Oliveira Gomes
• Grantee: Andresa Pereira da Paixão
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Primary Care workers play an essential role in the doorway of the Unified Health System (SUS). A healthier lifestyle for these professionals can contribute to improvements in their health conditions, as well as collaborate in the multiplication of information on health promotion and disease prevention for SUS users. In this sense, the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of an intervention to change behavior in the lifestyle of Primary Care workers in the city of São Carlos-SP. It is a randomized clinical study with a quantitative approach. Participants interested in participating in the project will be randomly selected to form the intervention group (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted for both groups, including information on sociodemographic data, health conditions, Individual Lifestyle Profile (PEVI), habit to modify, and goals to be achieved. The intervention will consist of four monthly face-to-face meetings in the health unit with guidance and advice on behavior change with the themes: tips and benefits, barriers, relapses and sabotaging thoughts. Information materials will be provided. In addition, motivating or guidance messages will be sent by the smartphone during the week. Descriptive analysis and inter- and intragroup comparison analysis will be performed. The intervention is expected to be effective in changing the behavior of workers.