Chronic fatigue syndrome in teachers and their health behaviours – preliminary results

Introduction
Fatigue is a phenomenon that is responsible for a deterioration of human living activities and reluctance to make any effort. Professional work is one the most important activities in human life, and, as such, it requires properly planned rest and relaxation as well as appropri-ate attitudes aimed at maintaining and improving health.

Aim of the study
The study was aimed at assessing the level of fatigue and the influence of selected factors, as well as verifying their correlation with un-dertaken pro-health behaviours among teachers of primary and secondary schools.

Material and methods
The study was carried out in a group of 120 teachers with the application of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-20R) questionnaire, the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI), and the authors’ self-designed questionnaire.

Results
Chronic fatigue was, on average, higher in secondary school teachers than in primary school teachers (5.98 ±1.61 vs. 5.72 ±1.33). An analysis of health behaviour in the group of primary school teachers showed a statistically significant correlation between the general level of chronic fatigue and the Health Behaviour Inventory (p = 0.041), undertaken pro-health activities (p = 0.044), subjective fatigue perception (p = 0.025), and eating habits (p = 0.032), as well as between lowered motivation and health activities (p = 0.028). However, in the group of secondary school teachers, statistically significant correlations were observed between all fatigue components, teachers’ positive mental attitude, and their health behaviours.

Conclusions
The study showed an average level of chronic fatigue in the examined groups of teachers. However, the general level of fatigue had an influence on the Health Behaviour Inventory and on its particular components.