2022 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 12-20
Objective: To clarify the concept of employee health literacy and to obtain suggestions for improving employee health literacy among occupational health nurses.
Method: A concept analysis was conducted using Rodgers’ evolutionary method in which 25 articles (23 Japanese, 2 English) published between 2008 and 2021 were analyzed.
Results: The following six attributes were identified: Utilizing health examinations as understandable and effective health information; Understanding the health of current workers by linking work and family; Practicing behaviors that harmonize health, work, and family; Obtaining support from internal and external experts; Getting help from partners and colleagues; and Contributing to the health promotion of colleagues; Furthermore, six antecedent factors and three consequences were identified.
Discussion: Employee health literacy entails using health examination results as effective health information, promoting understanding of one’s own health by linking work and family, and creating harmony among health, work and family. It is a feasible practice of healthy behavior implemented with the support of experts, colleagues and partners inside and outside the workplace. As a result, it contributes to the improved health of colleagues. In so doing, we improve the self-care ability of individual workers, improve their health, and promote healthy workplaces, to create healthier organizations and companies. Thus, in supporting occupational health nursing, it is important to utilize the opportunity for the health examination and promote the resolution of issues through labor-management collaboration.
