Health literacy and behavior of kindergarten teachers: Results of a cluster-controlled trial conducted at 62 daycare facilities

Background:

Health literacy (HL) of kindergarten teachers may impact personal health behavior and health status of kindergarten teachers. The aim of this investigation was to assess these factors in a cluster-controlled trial examining the effectiveness of a health promotion intervention targeting preschoolers and daycare staff over one year.

Methods:

HL, health behavior, and health status of kindergarten teachers were assessed at 62 daycare facilities (DFs) nationwide at baseline and 12 months via a questionnaire (n = 132). Parameters of kindergarten teachers working at intervention DFs which implemented the intervention for one year were compared to those working at delayed intervention control daycare facilities (CDFs) which implemented the intervention after completion of the follow-up.

Results:

Slightly below half of the kindergarten teachers at intervention DFs displayed an adequate HL compared to 52% at CDFs. 25% of kindergarten teachers at intervention DFs (17% at CDFs) reached 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week recommended by the World Health Organization at baseline and 27% vs. 20%, respectively, at follow-up. Only eight percent of kindergarten teachers at intervention DFs (9% at CDFs) consumed the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day at baseline compared to 15% vs. 13% at follow-up. Ninety percent at both groups of DFs reported a good to excellent health status at both time points.

Conclusions:

The distribution of HL in the population of kindergarten teachers is similar to that observed in the general German population. Changes in health behavior in this population remain the target of future interventions.