Investigating the health and wellness of childcare workers in Southern Alberta, Canada

• Activity Number: 418
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Scientific and Public Affairs Advisory Committee
• Author(s): Oluwagbohunmi Awosoga* and Jon Doan and Megan Kornblum
• Companies: University of Lethbridge and University of Lethbridge and University of Lethbridge
• Keywords: Childcare ; Health Status ; Stress ; Well-being ; Early childhood education ; Health control

Abstract

High-quality early education is beneficial for young children. It is no surprise that demand for childcare has increased. Childcare educators play a vital role in early childhood development, yet they face many physical and psychological challenges to their health through their work. The purpose of this study was to investigate the health and wellness of childcare workers in Southern Alberta, Canada. Workplace Health and Risks Surveys were delivered to licensed childcare centres in Southern Alberta. A simple linear regression suggested that four survey responses were significant predictors of health status: health control, planned actions, employee well-being, and stress effects employee. The regression suggested that health status of childcare workers could be improved by training them to set and achieve goals related to their health and by educating employers to create a positive work environment and minimize stress. Our future research will survey rural and urban daycare centers and include an ergonomic analysis. These results will be used to deliver a group education program with the goal of improving the health of childcare workers and the quality of early childhood education.