Determination of the beliefs and attitudes of pre-hospital emergency health service workers towards obese individuals as a vulnerable group: The case of Adana Provincial Ambulance Service

The globally increasing incidence of obesity and the growing need for emergency health services among obese patients necessitate a better understanding of the impact of this issue on healthcare professionals. It is thought that the negative attitudes and beliefs of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers toward obese patients may reduce the quality of care provided and create barriers to treatment access for these patients. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the beliefs and attitudes of EMS workers in Adana province towards obesity and to explore how these attitudes are shaped by demographic and professional factors.

The research was conducted using a cross-sectional design on EMS workers employed at the Adana Provincial Ambulance Service. A convenience sampling method was utilized, and data were collected from 450 on EMS workers via a survey. The survey form included questions to determine the demographic characteristics of the participants, as well as two scales designed to assess their beliefs and attitudes towards obesity. Validity and reliability analyses of the scales were conducted, and the data were evaluated using One-Way ANOVA, independent samples t-test, and Pearson’s correlation analyses.

The findings of the research, consistent with the literature, reveal that EMS workers generally hold negative attitudes and beliefs towards obese patients. It was determined that participants’ attitudes were influenced by demographic factors such as age, professional experience, education level, and economic status. Male participants generally had more positive attitudes compared to females, and healthcare workers who frequently encountered obese patients also exhibited more positive attitudes.

The study highlights the need for improvement in EMS workers’ attitudes and beliefs towards obese patients. These attitudes can affect the quality of healthcare services and pose significant barriers to access for obese patients. It is believed that awareness and empathy training for EMS workers could change negative beliefs about obesity and reduce negative attitudes.