Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and associated factors among clinical nurses in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background & aims A health-promoting lifestyle comprises practices that contribute to overall well-being. Nurses play a vital role in fostering these behaviors. This research focused on examining Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors and Associated Factors Among Clinical Nurses in Nigeria. Materials & methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 241 nurses employed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, from April 2024 to August 2024. Participants were selected using convenience sampling after obtaining the necessary organizational permits, ethical approvals, and informed consent. Data were collected using two questionnaires: a demographic information form and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. Results The Mean ± SD score for nurses’ Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors was 132.63 ± 14.91, indicating an overall good level of health‑promoting lifestyle behaviors. Among the different dimensions, the highest scores were observed in “Self-Actualization” (2.56 ± 0.48) and “Interpersonal Support” (2.65 ± 0.41), while the lowest scores were related to “Physical Activity” (2.36 ± 0.41) and “Nutrition” (2.41 ± 0.32). Older nurses (p < 0.01), those who never used tobacco (p < 0.01), and nurses who adhered to their legal working hours (p < 0.01) demonstrated higher health-promoting lifestyle behaviors. No significant relationships were found between other demographic variables and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (p > 0.05). Conclusion Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among healthcare professionals significantly influence individual health, making them an effective preventive strategy. These results suggest that nursing managers should actively address personal and occupational factors that influence these behaviors.