Women-centred workplace health promotion interventions: a systematic review

Abstract

Aim: To analyse workplace health promotion interventions implemented exclusively for the female population.

Background: The differences in biological, psychological and social characteristics, as well as the type of work carried out by men and women, make it necessary for workplace health promotion to be specific for each group. This study focussed on working women.

Introduction: Workplace health promotion interventions are centred on increasing the well-being and health of the employees. Occupational health nurses play an essential role in the implementation of these interventions.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out using the MEDLINE and Scopus databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Two lines of interventions were found: (1) promotion of breastfeeding (16.6%) and (2) promotion of physical activity and other healthy lifestyles (83.4%). The interventions studied underlined promoting breastfeeding, preventing a sedentary lifestyle, improving body composition, reducing cardiovascular risk, relieving premenstrual symptoms, time of breastfeeding after returning to work, and showing favourable results.

Discussion: The lack of studies on the subject and the medium-to-low quality of the articles included in the review have made it difficult to analyse workplace health promotion interventions, making it necessary to continue research in this area.

Conclusion: There are very few occupational health promotion interventions targeting women (1.9%), and the majority of them focus on promoting physical activity. It is worrying that specific aspects of women's health are poorly addressed.

Implications for nursing practice and health policy: The work of the occupational nurse essentially is to guarantee the health of women in the workplace, being the key figure in the research and development of gender-related policies in the field of public health.

Keywords: health policy; health promotion; nursing; occupational health; occupational health nursing; public health nursing; women’s health; working women.