The health-promoting lifestyles of undergraduate nurses in Hong Kong

Abstract

Based on Pender's health promotion model in 1987, this descriptive study of 169 undergraduate nurses in Hong Kong was undertaken to determine any differences in their health-promoting lifestyles, as measured by the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) among different age groups, gender, income, employment status, and levels in undergraduate nursing education. The student nurses performed best in interpersonal relations but worst in physical activity. There were significant differences among the various classes in stress management and spiritual growth, with senior classes (Years 3 and 4) reporting worse in both areas. This was particularly remarkable among the students of the final year, who would soon be graduating as staff nurses and were expected to inspire patients to practice health-promotive behaviors by their example. The older age group also had lower scores in stress management and exercise practice. Because most of the students in the senior classes were older, the findings further reinforce the earlier results. It was also identified that more than half of the students were supported on low parental income with many of them working a part-time job. These outcomes were explored with future recommendations made to improve the weaknesses in the students' health-promoting lifestyles.