Impact of a health promotion magazine on employee's health-knowledge.

BACKGROUND Health promotion initiatives are an important element of occupational medicine practice but evaluating success is complex. The publishers of a quarterly health promotion magazine asked an aluminium smelting company if it would consider providing the magazine to its employees. AIMS To evaluate the possible benefits to employees of receiving a health promotion magazine. METHODS Three issues were distributed by post over a 9 month period to employees at an aluminium smelter. Pre- and post-distribution questionnaires were mailed to employees and their partners, asking questions about health knowledge and behaviour. Statistical analysis was undertaken using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Overall 243 of 640 employees (38%) responded to the initial questionnaire and 129 (20%) to the final questionnaire. Pre-existing knowledge about preventive health issues was high; 61-100% of employees selected the correct answer to questions about diet, smoking and exercise. Following distribution of the magazines, there was an increase in employees' knowledge of sugars in 'fat-free' foods (P < 0.05), the benefits of fish oil (P < 0.01) and in how often health was considered when buying food (P < 0.05), as well as an increase in partners' knowledge of dietary fats (P < 0.001). Overall 84% of employees and 87% of their partners who returned the final questionnaire and indicated they had read the magazine showed enthusiasm for continued delivery. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the pilot intervention was beneficial; however, the findings must be interpreted with caution given the modest response rates.