A survey of teachers' health lifestyles in Cyprus

Abstract

For health education in schools to be effective, it is desirable that teachers set examples of good health lifestyles.

Objective The present research aimed at gathering data on lifestyles among Cyprus teachers, investigating the effect of these lifestyles on their perceptions and attitudes towards health education and examining these lifestyles in relation to their role as health educators.

Design The study uses a questionnaire developed with the help of experts and designed to sample teachers' lifestyles. It contains 38 statements relating to four health lifestyle variables (smoking, sleep habits, alcohol consumption and exercise), together with questions on attitudes to health matters.

Setting Greek-speaking schools at all levels of Cyprus education (pre- primary, primary, secondary and special).

Method After piloting, the 38 lifestyle statements were circulated to a representative sample of 1000 teachers in pre-primary, primary, secondary and special education Greek-speaking schools, with a response rate of 65 per cent.

Results A sex-related imbalance in the sample reflected the pre ponderance of women teachers at all levels of Cyprus schooling. Significant sex differences emerged, with women proportionately more represented in the 'good' lifestyle group than men. Analysis of variance and Scheffé post hoc analysis revealed that teachers with good health lifestyles were significantly much more positive both about the desirable effects of health education on children's lifestyles and about their own desire to teach the subject. A factor analysis of attitudes to health matters revealed five factors describing important health lifestyle dimensions. Several implications for teacher education emerged.

Conclusion Teachers with 'good' lifestyles proved more positive towards health education and more prepared to teach the subject. The paper Concludes by drawing from the data a number of suggestions for teacher training.