Successful reach and adoption of a workplace health promotion RCT targeting a group of high-risk workers

Abstract

Background: Cleaners are rarely introduced to workplace health promotion programs. The study's objective was to evaluate the reach and adoption of a workplace randomized controlled trial (RCT) among cleaners in Denmark.

Methods: Cleaning businesses with at least 30 employees, that could offer a weekly 1-hour intervention during working hours, were invited to participate. Employees working at least 20 hours/week were invited to answer a screening questionnaire and consent to participate. Analyses determined the differences in health variables between responders and non-responders, consenters and non-consenters, participants and non-participants and between participants of the RCT's three groups: physical coordination training, cognitive-behavioural theory-based training and reference group.

Results: From 16 eligible workplaces, a representative sample of 50% adopted the trial. Of 758 eligible employees, 78% responded to the screening questionnaire and 49% consented to participate. Consenters and participants differed from non-consenters and non-participants by having higher BMI, more chronic diseases and poorer musculoskeletal health.

Conclusions: This study indicates that workplace health promotion programs directed at health risk factors among cleaners enable significant adoption and reach to a high-risk subgroup of the Danish workforce.

Trial registration: Trial registration ISRCTN96241850.

Figure 1

Workplace Recruitment. Flow chart on workplace recruitment and adoption with identification of workplace characteristics.

Figure 2

Employee Flow. Flow chart on employee recruitment and reach. PCT = Physical coordination training group, CBT = Cognitive behavioural training group, REF = Reference group.

Figure 3

a+b - Musculoskeletal symptoms. Proportion of employees with musculoskeletal symptoms above 30 days during the past year among a) consenters versus non-consenters and b) participants versus non-participants. † = p < 0.1, * = p < 0.05.