HEALTH INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR HEALTH WORKERS AS ROLE MODELS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

Abstract

Background: Health workers are considered to be credible people in health in the health field; they are often deemed as role models in healthy behavior. Primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and professional health organizations (PHOs) have to support health workers (HWs) in order that they perform their duty according to codes of work ethics. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the support from PHCs and PHOs for HWs as health role models in the community. Methods: This study is an exploratory qualitative study conducted in 2017. It involved three heads of PHCs, six clinical practitioners, three PHOs, and three community members from Pontianak. Results: The health workers had responsibility, awareness, and commitment towards health workers themselves, the community, and colleagues, and thus they became health role models. Although the community never reprimanded HWs directly, they continued having a healthy lifestyle since they had acquired health education that impacts their behavior. Health institutions provided rules for mandatory daily physical activities and healthy diet; also, they established no-smoking areas, but many constraints were found during the execution. Conclusion: The code of work ethics should be used as standards to support health workers’ role.