Abstract:
This survey research was aimed at assessing health risk of cardiovascular disease and
differences of risk levels, and intention to change behavior among at-risk personnel and the factors
relating to behavioral change intention among personnel in a private hospital. The sample was
composed of 350 personnel of the Nursing Unit. The data collected by questionnaire included
information about personal characteristics, health risk factors, disease protection motivation factors, and
intention to change behavior. Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference of health risk levels and
the relationship between personal characteristics and intention to change behaviors, and Pearson product
moment correlation was used to test the relationship between disease protection motivation factors and
intention to change behaviors.
The results of the study showed that 34.4 and 29.4 percent of the sample had a moderate
and high risk of cardiovascular disease respectively, while 36.2 percent had a low risk. The two risk
factors that were most often found were lack of regular exercise and high-fat food intake. The levels of
health risk were significantly different in accordance with work position and educational level (p <
0.001 and 0.005 respectively). The group of drivers and other personnel who finished diploma or
lower were found to have higher risk than the other positions and those personnel who finished
Bachelor degree and higher. Most of the sample who were found to have a moderate or high risk
of cardiovascular disease held a moderate level of intention to change behaviors (62.6%). The factors
that were found to relate significantly with behavioral change intention were: age (p = 0.037), work
position (p = 0.039), perceived self-efficacy (p = 0.001), and response efficacy (p = 0.023). From the
research results, a suggestion was made that a new program aiming to change behaviors of hospital
personnel, particularly those who have a moderate risk and higher, should be implemented and
emphasis should be placed on the development of self-efficacy and response efficacy