A new health education instrument for occupational health promotion—Transtheoretical Model approach

The objective of this study was based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to explore the mechanisms of health behavioral change, and design an effective health educational instrument. This study has been carried out since 2003 at an electric company in southern Taiwan area among 200 subjects. There were seven health behaviors being studied, including: healthy diet, weight control, physical activity, reducing alcohol, smoking and betel nut consumption and health exam. The purpose is to apply pretest results and the TTM to design seven self-help brochures with a Q&A and desk calendar functions. After 6 months of intervention, the posttest survey revealed that 30% of subjects needed very strong help, 48% with partial help and 13% with minor help from the brochures. Each brochure provided different significant effect for health behavioral change on life style. The study results may provide a new useful health educational tool and references for developing more effective health promotion program at worksites.