Health-promoting lifestyle behavior and determinants among religious officials during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

Authors : Ersin Uskun, Murat Dündar, Edanur Doğan, Özgür Önal, Ahmet Nesimi Kişioğlu

Pages : 1-15

View : 52 | Download : 61

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background: As influential figures, religious officials often serve as role models for their communities.This study was conducted to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviors and associated factors of religious officials in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 414 religious officials in the provinces of the Lakes Region of Turkey. Health-promoting lifestyle profile II assessment (HPLP-II) and demographic characteristics form was used to assess health behaviors and participants’ profiles. Data analysis was performed by independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression models with SPSS version 17. Results: The study reveals that Islamic religious officials exhibit a significantly higher level of health-promoting lifestyle behaviors compared to other occupational groups, making them potential catalysts for health promotion. Our findings demonstrate that the group\'s overall health-promoting lifestyle score surpasses that of the general population, underlining their potential as examples for society in health promotion efforts. Notably, religious officials excel in spiritual growth, although physical activity remains an area that requires improvement. Men in this group tend to outperform women in physical activity and stress control, emphasizing the role of gender in healthy living behaviors. Allocating adequate personal time is the most critical factor affecting overall health-promoting behaviors, especially in physical activity, stress control, spiritual growth, and interpersonal relations. Conclusions: This research provides valuable insights into the health behaviors of a unique occupational group, highlighting the impact of gender and the importance of personal time management. Future studies should encompass more diverse populations and employ longitudinal designs for in-depth causative exploration.
Keywords : Sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışları, Sağlık davranışları, Sağlığın geliştirilmesi, Din görevlileri, Türkiye