Analysis of Factors Related to Health Behavior of the ROKAF Pilots

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force) Pilots are required to maintain optimal health status because of their job characteristics and importance as core forces. Their optimal health status can be achived by prac-ticing good health behavior. Therefore, this study tries to analyze the pilots' health behaviors for last 1 month and latest 12 hours before flight respectively, and to examine factors related to health behavior. The goal is to provide data for the development of more efficient nursing interventions. METHODS: In this study, 200 Air Force pilots was interviewed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, 2001. by the use of a structured questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS Windows Version 10.0 for descriptive statistics, x2-test, Spearman's rho correlation. RESULTS: ROKAF Pilot's have good drinking and smoking habits and their alcohol drinking, smoking, dietary habits, sleeping hours is related to their Self-efficacy, perceived barrier, family support. Also, their before flight health behavior was not different largely their casual health behavior. CONCLUSION: In order to promote ROKAF Pilot's health status, programs should be designed according to age, aircraft types and marriage conditions, and strategies that enable to increase health behavior self-efficacy and to decrease perceived barrier should be employed.