418 – 2015 SPAAC Poster Competition
Investigating the Health and Wellness of Childcare Workers in Southern Alberta, Canada
Oluwagbohunmi Awosoga
University of Lethbridge
Jarrod Blinch
University of Lethbridge
Trishell Provost
University of Lethbridge
Jon B. Doan
University of Lethbridge
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.