A Workplace Program to Promote Health Life-styles in Microenterprises: Challenges and Results

Work, and in particular working in small and micro enterprises, the level of risk is still high even if Workplace health promotion (WHP) programs are in general are now very well-known and present in general. The quality of these in small and micro-enterprises are under standard. In the Bergamo province is running a WHP since 2010, very popular and with good results, but no microenterprises participate. It was necessary to study a new program specific for this target group and in some way more person centred. Here we will present the program and the results of the first year of implementation. The program saw the participation of all local stakeholders with the coordination of the Local Health Agency (ATS) of Bergamo. In the ATS was trained a task force for this program and operating manual. The program and material produced was presented to the associations of workers and employers for discussion and integrations. With lifestyles, also safety was an objective of the program. The program was based on two pillars: individual interviews and the adoption by the microenterprise of at least two good practices of collective prevention initiatives each year, chosen from a specific list described in the operating manual. Were recruited for the sustainability test eight microenterprises for a total of 95 workers. All workers were assessed, with the collaboration of the occupational doctor, with validated questionnaires on different aspects: smoking, diet, physical activity, alcohol, gambling, sleep and safe behaviour at work. 73,7 % of the workers conducted the individual interview. The argument mostly debated was on nutrition (47.1%), followed by physical activity (35.7%), smoking (10%) and sleep problems (7.1%). As far as the perception of safety in the workplace is concerned, 45% believe that compliance with safety standards can be time-consuming and 10% believe that DPIs are an obstacle, about 7% believe that sometimes safety standards should be neglected in order to increase production and 8% believe that accidents depend on bad luck. This small program, seems to confirm, that the effectiveness of WHP programs using environmental and policy changes in combination with individually focused health behaviour change strategies is effective and sustainable